Mamelodi Sundowns co-coach Rulani Mokwena insists it was difficult to single out any individual player following their impressive performance against Swallows FC.
The Brazilians managed to secure their fifth win in six DStv Premiership fixtures with a comfortable 3-0 victory over the Dube Birds at Loftus Versfeld Stadium this past Sunday evening.
Goals from Pavol Safranko, Neo Maema and Peter Shalulile helped Sundowns extend their lead at the top of the league standings to four points over second-placed SuperSport United, while Swallows dropped down to 14th place with five points after six matches.
Mokwena went on to praise the impact and contributions of his substitutes in the second half, who helped them walk comfortably away with maximum points.
“It’s good for confidence. It’s good for the morale of the team. The momentum is good. 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,” Mokwena told SuperSport TV.
“The subs who were very good. Riva came in, stabilised the midfield. Vila helped us to change a little bit the structure and the organisation and, of course, Neo still helps us when we take 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 four-vs-three and three-vs-two, we don’t want to suffer those sort 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.”
Mamelodi Sundowns will now turn their attention to the Caf Champions League when they take on AS Maniema Union in the first leg of the second preliminary round on 17 October.
