'We never, ever mentioned that we want to win the league.' says Sundowns coach

Mamelodi Sundowns coach Sinethemba Badela is not losing sleep over the intriguing DStv Diski Challenge league title race.

On Sunday, Sundowns suffered a 1-0 shock defeat to Sekhukhune United at Solomon Mahlangu Stadium. The defeat saw Sundowns dropping from the top of the Diski Challenge table to second place with four matches remaining before the season came to an end.

Sundowns are in a two-horse race with Stellenbosch who are now leading the table with 57 points, one ahead of Sundowns.

Talking after the match Badela said there’s no pressure to retain the No 1 spot and ultimately win the Diski Challenge title.

“As a technical team we just have to make sure that the boys try to improve. I do not think the boys are under any pressure, the only pressure they have is from me to make sure they train well and do their best in the matches, that is the pressure.

He continued: “We never, ever mentioned that we want to win the league and things like that. We always said we want to improve our performances, the players and that’s all we can do.”

Sundowns, next assignment, they host Kaizer Chiefs at Lucas Moripe Stadium on Sunday morning, 11:30.

Badela said they are hoping for an improved performance, and they will try to be more clinical against Amakhosi.

He added: “I do not think we played too bad (against Sekhukhune) especially in the first half we defended well, except for that time we did not put pressure. We had few chances as well but couldn’t convert. In the second half we tried again but it was just not working out in the final third. The finishing was not at our best.”

Badela, who is coaching in the Diski Challenge for the first time is happy with the progress made by his team from matchday one.

He concluded: “The players have improved a lot, physically, tactical and technical. And we have had good results in the past, but we will keep improving. There’s always room for improvement and we will keep on getting better.”