Mamelodi Sundowns co-coach Rulani Mokwena has praised the club’s skipper and creative playmaker, Themba Zwane, saying he is a rare breed but lashed out at their opponents.
Mokwena likened ‘Mshishi’ to Bayern Munich star Thomas Muller, adding that those who feel Zwane has a minimal role to play at Chloorkop are unfair on the player.
The outspoken manager also believes that when you watch the 33-year-old, who is in his 10th season with Downs, it’s easier to notice the difference and influence he brings in their attacks.
At the same time, Mokwena lashed out at their DStv Premiership opponents who continue to come with dirty tactics, only aiming to disrupt their flowing football.
“Players like Thomas Muller and Themba are space navigators and they are a dying breed. You only have to watch ‘Mshishi’ navigate his way through the pitch to understand what he gives,” said Mokwena.
“The performances speak for themselves and people will criticise and they have the right to do that, I’m sure ‘Mshishi’ also understands that. The reality is that he is doing the best that he can and he is following the instructions to the tee. He is giving his best possible on the pitch.”
His frustration came when they faced TS Galaxy, Chippa United and SuperSport United where they were had to attack against defensive teams that opted to ‘park the bus’.
While they managed to beat the Chili Boys last week, the reigning league champions lost to the Rockets and Amatsatsantsa A Pitori.
“And those games are very difficult when only one of the two teams is responsible for the tempo. In the last three or even four teams, they came to disrupt and then it becomes a bit difficult to have a football match,” he lamented.
“Because of that it looks like Sundowns are not playing well but the reality is Sundowns are the only ones trying to have a football match.
“With things like stoppages, time-wasting, fouls, throw-ins, goal-kicks, and taking too long to restart, you have breaks to the momentum of the games. And then it is not as flowing on the eye as it should be.”
Up next for the Tshwane giants is a match against AmaZulu whom they welcome at Loftus Versfeld Stadium on Sunday as they look to consolidate their top spot on the log table.
Image: Themba Zwane/Twitter
Rulani Mokwena/Mamelodi Sundowns
The post Sundowns’ Rulani Mokwena blasts Themba Zwane’s critics and DStv opponents appeared first on Entertainment SA - South African Entertainment News, Celebrity and Lifestyle Online Magazine & Entertainment.
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