Mamelodi Sundowns head coach Rulani Mokwena admits they are transforming into a team that’s developing the strength of being dominant out of possession.
After wins over Orlando Pirates and Kaizer Chiefs in the DStv Premiership and MTN8 semi-final second leg respectively, there’s been a notable increase in their aggression and tactical fouls, something mastered by North African clubs and countries.
While it’s an art form that really lives one edge within the laws of the game, it’s something Masandawana are attempting to balance within their purist style of play too, mixing good football with ‘playing ugly’ in situations where they lose control of the game.
Wydad Athletic Club, quite possibly provided one of the blueprints for this style when they stunned the Brazilians at Loftus Versfeld last season in the CAF Champions League semi-finals, and while Mokwena denied it’s the dark arts, he admitted they are changing…
“I don’t know if it’s dark arts, I would really never love… I grew up in an environment where I had in my family, had little influence on how I look at football, my father was a winger, my uncle was a number 10, my grandfather was an eight and I’m told was an unbelievable football player,” he said when asked by iDiski Times if they have adapted with the dark arts this season.
“So I have an appreciation for football in the truest sense, and I try to stay as close to it as possible but there are times when we can’t always have all the ball and in the difficult games we have to be resolute and find solutions. I’m glad this team is developing it.
“If you look at the best teams in the world, Manchester City for example, what is their number one strength? In or out of possession? Out of possession. When Liverpool were dominating and really really winning things, Champions League, challenging Man City.
“What was their greatest strength? The work they do without the ball… Real Madrid, when they won three Champions League’s in a row, what was the biggest strength? They work without the ball.”
Mokwena went on to suggest that it’s part of the wholistic approach when discussing the chameleon tactical system – as they look to adapt to whatever opposition or said games throw at them, as they continued their unbeaten start to the 2023/24 season.
“So I’m glad this team are learning to appreciate that football has different moments and in the different moments of football, they’re all interlinked but they need certain characteristics,” he continued.
“We’re trying to develop this as a team so we are stronger and tactically be a little bit more… people say chameleon but that’s what they do.
“They adapt, chameleons adapt, it doesn’t change its personality, it’s still a reptile but it adapts and changes colours depending on its surroundings and it’s the type of team we are trying to become.”
Sundowns have now won 10 games and drawn one in their opening 11 games of the season across all competitions.
