Mamelodi Sundowns' head coach, Tiro Van Rooyen, is courageously navigating the challenges on his inaugural season in the DStv Diski Challenge. Succeeding Themba Badela, who departed after securing a third-place finish last season, Van Rooyen has encountered the full spectrum of challenges that come with mentoring a predominantly youthful squad.
As we are just went over halfway of the season, he has expressed considerable pride in the development of his fledgling team, despite the difficult task of integrating novice players into a fiercely competitive league. Van Rooyen believes that this season has afforded his players invaluable experiences for their evolution, though he acknowledges that there remains substantial room for growth.
“Our team has a lot of talent and huge potential, but they’re extremely young,” Van Rooyen stated. “Some are very inexperienced at the Diski level, which has posed a significant challenge for us.”
The transition from youth to senior football can be formidable, particularly when less seasoned players find themselves pitted against battle-hardened opponents during a crucial developmental phase.
While Van Rooyen strives for consistency, he concedes that the youthfulness of the squad yields an element of unpredictability. “We would love to see the boys be more consistent, but we know that’s kind of impossible at the moment because of our lack of experience.” He highlighted the indispensable support from veteran players such as Siyabonga Mabena, Gomolemo Kekana, and Thato Sibiya, who were integral to last season's line-up; however, the inexperience of the majority remains a formidable obstacle.
Looking ahead to the forthcoming 12 matches, Van Rooyen underscored the importance of improvement and resilience. “When we suffer, we concede a lot of silly goals. We give away goals, but with maturity and experience, we will get better in the future,” he explained.
He noted the necessity for his players to attain a higher level of professionalism and accountability, asserting that success is intrinsically linked to their individual commitment to fitness, nutrition, and preparation.
Sundowns are set to clash with Golden Arrows in the Diski Challenge festival at Seshego Stadium this Sunday at 10:00.