Mokwena praise for team effort

Mamelodi Sundowns co-coach Rhulani Mokwena says it was an excellent team effort in the 3-0 DStv Premiership victory over Swallows FC on Sunday that kept up the team’s excellent start to the defence of their title.

Sundowns top the table with 16 points from a possible 18 this campaign and have yet to concede a goal in what is an ominous run of form for the rest of the sides in the division.

“It's good for confidence. It's good for the morale of the team. The momentum is good,” Mokwena said. “Once again congratulations for a team effort. It's very difficult to get any single player to stand out. The technical team, support staff, the supporters and the entire group of players

"The subs who were very good. Riva [Rivaldo Coetzee] came in, stabilised the midfield. Vila [Sibusiso Vilakazi] helped us to change a little bit the structure and the organisation and of course Neo [Maema] still helps us when we take out [Thabiso] Kutumela to keep up the pressure in and around the box.

"It's the work that we do when we are in possession which is very important. How we use the ball is important. Minimising the turnovers. The structure to maintain … you hear us talking about the extra pass.

“Because the extra pass makes you stay together because when you stay together you maintain your compactness. It's what gives you the rest defence. The rest defence then gives you the ability to counter press.

"Even in the PSL, how many times you find 4 vs 3s and 3 vs 2, we don't want to suffer those sorts of situations where numerically we are inferior to the opposition on turnovers.

“Our work when we are in possession in relation to how we use the ball and where we position ourselves becomes very important to be able to defend well."

Next up for Sundowns is a CAF Champions League away trip to face Maniema Union from the DR Congo after the Fifa international break.