After Mamelodi Sundowns' exit from the CAF Champions League at the hands of Esperance de Tunis, some quarters have suggested that the club should reconsider the position of head coach Rulani Mokwena, feeling he has not met the mark at the highest level.
However, a Sundowns legend has come forward to express a different viewpoint, advocating for the unwavering support for the young coach.
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In an exclusive interview with Soccer Laduma, Bennett Mnguni, a former midfielder for Sundowns, voiced his support for Mokwena, highlighting the coach's achievements in his relatively short tenure as the sole head coach.
"We have to back the coach. We have to support our coach. If we don't support him, then who will support him? You know he is still young and has done very well in the short time he has been in charge of the team. We need to let him grow and learn. He is doing well for the team. All he needs now is our support," Mnguni told the Siya crew.
Mnguni also addressed the challenges Sundowns face in the Champions League, suggesting that the Premier Soccer League (PSL) should offer more support to the team, similar to how other countries back their teams in these continental competitions.
"I think we are playing too many games in a short space of time and the players are jet legged. The PSL should give us more time to rest. We are not just doing this for Sundowns. We are doing this for the country. If we go to the FIFA Club World Cup we represent South Africa and promote South African talent so that other countries can want to come and sign players from our country."
Mnguni further elaborated on the physical toll the current schedule takes on the players, emphasizing the need for adequate rest, especially when participating in African competitions.
"I don't agree with people who say we have many players to rest now and again. If you look at how many games we play in a week plus the travelling, all that is taxing for the players and then there is jet leg. That's not good for the players hence some of the poor results. The PSL should really consider resting Sundowns mainly when we are going to play in Africa. Even at home we are playing almost every three days which is not good. The team needs proper resting mainly when playing in Africa," Mnguni pleaded.
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