There have been different views on how Mamelodi Sundowns have done in the 2022/23 season after winning only the DStv Premiership.
Last season, the Brazilians won the MTN8, League, as well as the Nedbank Cup under co-coaches Rulani Mokwena and Manqoba Mngqithi, as well as Steve Komphela being in the coaching team.
Under Mokwena as the head coach of the team for the better part of this season, Downs had hoped to reach the final of the CAF Champions League after missing out on the MTN8 and Nedbank Cup, but it wasn't to be after the club lost to Moroccan giants Wydad Casablanca on the away goals rule in the semi-finals.
However, the young tactician did lead the Chloorkop outfit to an impressive League triumph as Downs won the title with a 16-point gap to closest rivals Orlando Pirates who finished in second place.
Former Sundowns defender Phelelani Mpangase discusses the season that has been for the former African champions.
The Good
Rulani Mokwena's Progress
"I think Rulani has grown as a coach and with the assistance of experienced coaches in Steve Komphela and Manqoba Mngqithi, because they are still doing things together as the technical team and he will continue to improve. As young as he is at the age of 36, he has managed to steer the ship at such a big club and I believe that he's got a very bright future as a coach. He is absolutely brilliant in how he is making Sundowns play and a lot of coaches have failed to figure him out. I mean, he came up against the likes of Al Ahly and managed to win by a big score and it was like a walk in the park for Sundowns. With the season finishing, a lot of coaches will be going to the drawing board to try and figure out his style of play, and if he comes back with the same style Sundowns won't be able to do well next season. He will need to improve how he does things and add some some spice here and there so that they can't stop his team. Pep Guardiola is always upgrading and that's why it's so difficult to figure him out. As a coach, you don't have to rest. But coach Rulani did exceptionally well and it was just unfortunate that he didn't do well in some of the competitions," said Mpangase.
The Bad
"For me, and I'll be very honest with you, I think the season was a failure due to one or two reasons. You check the quality of the players that you have in the team and looking at the fact that they lost to Orlando Pirates by a huge score (3-0) in the MTN8 and against Stellenbosch 2-1 in the Nedbank Cup, those were disappointing results. When you have those quality players, you are expected to win everything. The team had won the MTN8 in the previous season and I expected them to do much better in the competition this season. I still believe that Sundowns could have taken two or three out of the trophies they competed in, including the CAF Champions League," he said.
The Ugly
Focusing On Champions League Affected Progress?
"I think it affected the team's progress a great deal and winning the league early also played a part. Winning the league early led the team to rest some players and the rhythm was affected. Had they won the league with two games remaining, it would have made the team remain competitive to push for success in CAF. The hunger would have still been there because sometimes if you start winning things too early, you end up losing hunger. I think even the players are disappointed with how the season has ended for the team," he added.
That Was An Honest Mistake
Mothobi Mvala Own Goal In CAF
"It's so unfortunate that some people do not have the same understanding of football. Football is a game of mistakes and whenever you make a mistake an opponent will look to capitalise on that. There are players who made mistakes in World Cup finals and if they were to be judged on that, it would mean that they would have never have to play football again. With Mvala, I think that was an honest mistake because he has been a very good and committed player for Sundowns. He has been doing very well as a centre-back and is always fighting for the badge. I think on the day he had bad luck. From those kinds of situations, other players don't bounce back but I believe that Mvala is very strong mentally and he will be able to bounce back," concluded Mpangase.
How Would You Rate Sundowns' Season?
