Mamelodi Sundowns coach Rulani Mokwena says he doesn’t know why his side drawn three successive league matches after securing the DStv Premiership title with seven games to spare.
But he gave a perfect answer, saying “I’m paid to find solutions”.
The Tshwane giants were held by gallantly fighting Golden Arrows in a 1-1 draw in the DStv Premiership match at Princess Magogo Stadium on Wednesday night.
It was the third time Sundowns were held to a draw on the trot, after they were left frustrated by Cape Town City and Swallows, respectively.
While in those games they didn’t score, they found the back of the net against Arrows to come from behind and salvage a point which might be positive to Mokwena.
Mokwena was asked by iDiski Times about the uncharacteristic run of draws, something that hasn’t happened at Sundowns in a long time and he insisted it is his job to steer the ship back to winning ways.
“No, really I wish I knew,” he said after the game.
“Because we don’t play for wins, but I’m paid to find solutions. I have to find solutions as to how we can turn it around, we have to win.
“But of course on Saturday, we have to win [against Stellenbosch in the Nedbank Cup quarter-final at Athlone Stadium).”
Multiple aspects have played a role in Downs’ dropping of points, with Mokwena also giving some of his main stars a rest and others an opportunity, while the players have also dropped their guards a little bit after the sixth successive title was confirmed.
It will be interesting to see how they turn up against a dangerous Stellies side, who are doing well of late since the arrival of Iqraam Rayners, who recently shared the stage with Mokwena for PSL monthly awards.
When asked whether he will make changes to his team selection for the Stellies game, which is a must-win match if they want to defend their Nedbank Cup, Mokwena remained coy on giving anything away.
“Selection, I don’t know, we will see,” he added.
“We will have to go home as quickly as possible and recover the team, show some of the possibilities. Unbelievable, we had about 18 shots, especially in the second half.
“We had six big chances in total and only one big chance in the first half, so it was a big improvement in the second half and the personality is what I liked.”
