Mamelodi Sundowns coach Rhulani Mokwena set passes target: Mamelodi Sundowns head coach, Rhulani Mokwena, has urged his team to adopt Barcelona’s famous possession-oriented tiki-taka style of play.
WHAT TRANSPIRED?
Mamelodi Sundowns, typically controlling most game times with high ball possession in PSL matches, has seen their head coach, Rhulani Mokwena, set higher standards.
Despite leading the league with 32 goals and a recent 2-0 victory over Chippa United, Mokwena expressed dissatisfaction, urging his team to exceed 1000 passes in that match, aiming to enhance their playstyle.
THE LARGER CONTEXT
This strategy of retaining possession, known as tiki-taka and popularized by Barcelona legends like Johan Cruyff and, later, Pep Guardiola, is what Mokwena aspires to emulate at Sundowns.
The blend of South American talents like Ribeiro Costa and Marcelo Allende with local stars such as Teboho Mokoena fosters the perfect environment for this tactical approach.
MOKWENA’S STATEMENTS
Mokwena compared his team to a chameleon, emphasizing adaptability and precision in attack.
Despite achieving over 600 passes against Chippa United, he stressed the goal of 1000 passes to counteract the physical threat posed by opponents.
He remains optimistic, citing his team’s intelligence and gradual progress toward their tactical goals.
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LOOKING AHEAD
Sundown’s maintain their leadership in the PSL with 45 points from 17 matches, but they are still undefeated this season.
Their next challenge is the Tshwane derby against SuperSport United, the last team to defeat them in the league, aiming to continue their dominant run amidst a series of draws faced by their rivals.