Earlier than Mamelodi Sundowns jetted off to Sudan the place they drew 1-1 with Al-Hilal this previous Saturday within the Caf Champions League, Downs head coach Rulani Mokwena spoke concerning the riskiness that comes with beginning their build-up from the again.ALSO READ: Pirates, Chiefs enhance probabilities of qualifying for Africa
And Sundowns have been confronted with the precise drawback when Abdel Raman stole the ball from goalkeeper Ronwen Williams to attain Hilal’s objective, which was an equalizer for the hosts after Khuliso Mudau had scored for Masandawana.
On this specific build-up play, Williams performed a brief goal-kick to Mvala, who was fast to return the ball to Williams however Raman was fast sufficient to intercept the ball earlier than Williams might play it huge to the left.
“You want particular consciousness. The goalkeeper has to have the flexibility as a result of you may’t drive them to have one thing that they don’t have,” stated Mokwena.
“The perfect defensive groups are those who defend the smallest areas. If the ball strikes from the goalkeeper to the centre again, it’s simpler to direct but when it goes to the centre again to the goalkeeper, the house is a bit greater.
“The ‘keeper should be capable of discover the chances as a result of if the areas are closed at one level, he should put it someplace else. It’s dangerous,” he added.
Kekana’s field marking, ‘unmatched’
One participant who Mokwena trusts within the field is Grant Kekana, who he describes as among the best zonal defenders within the DStv Premiership. Kekana, nonetheless, is unavailable for the time being as a result of harm, and Mokwena can’t wait to have him again in his aspect.
“Grant is the most effective field defender I’ve seen within the nation. After I say field, I’m speaking concerning the penalty space. Others name it the pink zone. In a single sport, there was an overload within the field and Mvala made a mistake. Grant simply waited and browse the state of affairs. I advised him that I’ve by no means seen anybody do what he does,” stated Mokwena.
“He advised me that he has been doing this his entire life at AmaTuks and SuperSport United. Morden day centre backs want play-making skills, so it helps when we’ve got gamers like Mothobi. Brian Onyango, Rushine De Reuck and Mosa Lebusa,” he added.
In the meantime, Sundowns will shift their focus to the DStv Premiership the place they now solely want two factors to safe a sixth successive league title.
