Mamelodi Sundowns legend Hlompho Kekana has emphasized on his former side getting into the habit of closing matches early in order to help manage the players for the hectic scheduling ahead.
Sundowns were held to 2-2 draw by Sudanese side Al Hilal in the CAF Champions league this past weekend, a result that didn’t sit well with the club’s fan base.
Masandawana now head to Polokwane for their Betway Premiership encounter against Sekhukhune United tonight at the Peter Mokaba Stadium, looking to increase their lead at the top of the table before traveling for the return leg to Rwanda to play Hilal.
Kekana said on The Pitchside Podcast that the defending champions must win against Babina Noko but also close the game as soon as possible.
“Now it’s that position where now we need to tap into those moments to say welcome back to our schedule but the players that have to be on the field have to know that it’s a win by all cost,” said Kekana.
“And I do believe that we need to tap into those moments of finishing matches early because the matches will come and they’ll suffocate us not so long because we’re dragging the matches. I think when we are in control, we should not let the team of the hook.
“We should make sure that we kill them and then let’s use the ball like we normally do. A game of Sekhukhune of course, like you mentioned, they’ve got good players, seasoned campaigners, people who can hurt us your Bradley [Grobler], Keletso [Makgalwa] in the midfield [Thabang] Monare and now they signed [Lebogang] Phiri. Those are players that have been around.
“And of course, they would want to show when they play against Mamelodi Sundowns because they’re playing a team that has got structure, has got a way of playing. You know how easy it is to play a team like that. So, I anticipate a very good brand of football especially in that Polokwane stadium the carpet is there.
“You know we just have to play our game and continue to do the good things that we did in the Al Hilal match. I thought we had control, total control over that match and we still have to score the goals. And maybe if we defend better, we should be home and dry in Polokwane.”
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