Mamelodi Sundowns have been in the news for all the wrong reasons for the better part of last week, with allegations of ill-discipline and discontent in the Chloorkop base doing the rounds. Social media was abuzz with rival teams' supporters mocking the defending champions whose camp, at least until last week, always looked to be the next thing to perfection. Soccer Laduma editor Vuyani Joni caught up with one of the team's colourful legends, Lovers Mohlala, to discuss the recent events.
Vuyani Joni: Legend, Mamelodi Sundowns made the headlines for all the wrong reasons last week, which took away from the good job they are doing on the field.
Lovers Mohlala: I think I will disagree with you because I believe there is somebody, within the club, leaking information to the media. I think each and every team will do everything to try and contain whatever is happening (behind the scenes) with their players. At the end of the day, I believe the team will manage this challenge well.
VJ: Would you agree that the wrong headlines are taking people's eyes away from the good job done by the team?
LM: You see, it depends on what everyone makes of the headlines. I don't think this is the first time there are headlines about Sundowns, the technical staff and all that, but none of it has obstructed them. That never affected the team on the field of play, so headlines are headlines. I think the players and everyone at the club are grown-ups and they know how fame can be so harmful through the negativity that you get, not just form the media but social media as well. I saw the article on social media, but at the end of the day, we need to hear from the horse's mouth.
VJ: The fact that the reported players have not been seen anywhere near the team, until last weekend, wasn't an indication of 'trouble in paradise' for you, giving credence to the rumours?
LM: One thing I normally do is that I don't like to operate based on speculation. I prefer that the team releases a statement and say, "We, as Mamelodi Sundowns, have encountered these problems… so-and-so have been found guilty of misconduct…" and we don't want to hear in the streets that you are getting married but you don't know anything about it. Social media news is not trustworthy and if Sundowns is quiet about these rumours, why must we keep talking about the two players that have been… err.. whatever – we can't talk about them. Let Sundowns come out and explain the situation instead of us becoming witchdoctors and speculating about a team that has not said anything about the rumours.
VJ: Let's say you are accused of theft, and the media report about it. Would you keep quiet knowing you never committed the crime?
LM: Let me make you an example. A few weeks ago, there was an article on Facebook that said Sundowns coaches went abroad and I allegedly commented by saying, "The rest of the technical team that was left behind was just focusing on tlof-tlof (sex)," which was untrue. I never went to social media or the same platform to set the record straight. I just went to the team's WhatsApp group and told everyone I never write such nonsense on social media. I didn't have to go to you or any other newspaper to dispute that comment. That never got to a point where I felt I needed to address the issue and I think the same thing is happening with Sundowns. This is not a small team and if they were to react to every speculation out there, they would be distracted from the important stuff that they need to focus on. They are relaxing in a manner that shows professionalism and that they don't have to entertain everything written or said about them. Sundowns can't react on a story on social media because you can't sue anyone there, but if it is a company like Soccer Laduma, then it is a different story altogether.
VJ: Going back to your example about Sundowns coaches, there is a group that you accounted to, even though you didn't react to social media. Using the same analogy, shouldn't the club set the record straight with the supporters, at least? Also, if the stories are untrue, almost every media house has published something about the rumours coming out of the Brazilians, so why not sue them, like you said?
LM: You have a point there, Tata, but who do you sue on social media?
VJ: Legend, the stories were not only on social media. Broadcast, print and digital media carried the stories last week.
LM: Ok, fair enough. The media then is creating an impression that Sundowns, by keeping quiet, is hiding the truth. At the end of the day, what if Sundowns comes back and says, "These players were never found guilty or charged for anything, errr, errr… errr… being out of order or anything like that"? Back to your question about the supporters, they should have leadership and their leadership should approach Sundowns and ask them about the rumours in the media, if they are concerned. If they believe Sundowns will always make decisions with their best interests at heart, they won't confront the club because they trust them to do the right thing. Sundowns are on a winning mode and everyone is looking at them. Everyone is speculating, but Sundowns need to come forward and tell us exactly what happened. For as long as they don't come forward… errr… people always say you have to hear it from the horse's mouth.
VJ: Why do you think the proverbial horse has been quiet? These are damaging allegations to both individual players and the club.
LM: I would say they are probably applying emotional intelligence. Sometimes, when they say you've robbed people that you didn't rob, you just have to keep quiet. You prove your innocence in your own time. If there's someone who leaked the information from within Sundowns, then I'd say there's smoke, but if the information didn't come from Sundowns, then there's really nothing for anyone to worry about. I think Sundowns should have a press conference where they address these issues or maybe you guys in the media should request a press conference from Sundowns so that they clear their side. Sundowns needs the media for the mileage, just like the media needs Sundowns for the news. You guys need to give Sundowns a chance to comment on the issue instead of just writing without them.
VJ: The media tried to solicit a comment from the club, the last attempt was with coach Rulani Mokwena, who said he would never speak negatively about his players.
LM: I'm still saying, for as long as Sundowns don't come out and say there is a crisis or something like that, we won't know the truth. It is unfortunate that our teams don't operate like their European counterparts whereby if there's a story, they give it exactly the way it is. They don't try to protect anyone, but unfortunately, this is Africa and this is how we do things.
VJ: As a team legend, have you reached out to Sundowns to find out what's going on?
LM: We are not like the Al Ahly legends whereby if you comment about the coach, everyone stops and listens. We don't have that influence, we don't have a say and therefore can't comment much on the team.
VJ: You do, actually, because that's one of the reasons we called you as one of the best-placed people to discuss ill-discipline. You will always be associated with Sundowns and you do have a relationship with the club. As someone who cares about the club, have you reached out to anyone?
LM: Look, my relationship with Sundowns doesn't allow me to involve myself in such issues, just like those who played before me never involved themselves in our issues. The way the club runs its affairs is such that they always do what's best for the interests of the team. I've never heard any former Sundowns player criticizing the team, like it was the case with coach Pitso Mosimane at Al Ahly where the legends were criticizing him. We engage with the team on initiatives that will benefit both the club and the legends. We don't get involved in the current players' stuff and some of them don't even know who we are. For us to put our noses in Sundowns' affairs wouldn't be right because some members of the technical team don't even know who we are. So, who are we to question them? That's a professional team and you need to make an appointment to go there. I can't just rock up because I played for the team and think I will be welcome. That's a company and protocol has to be observed all the time. Even if I find out the real story, I'm not going to hang the club's dirty laundry in public. The public is not going to give me bread tomorrow, like Sundowns is doing. I'm not protecting Sundowns and they are not paying me, but I'm still associated with the team.
VJ: Hypothetically speaking, if your teammates were accused of the allegations that came out of Chloorkop last week, how would you guys handle it back in the day?
LM: (Thinks for a moment) I think there's an example that Roger Feutmba gave one day. I remember Sundowns wanted to get rid of me because I was not sleeping enough and I was doing wrong things. Roger told me he spoke to Natasha (Tsichlas) and told her, "Listen, you have a cow and when you milk it and the bucket is full, it kicks the bucket. Then you have another cow that doesn't graze too much, but it still gives you a lot of milk. If you had to let go of one, which one would it be?" Obviously the one that kicks the bucket because it wastes your milk. If you have a player that is doing everything for your team on the field, would you let go of that player just because of ill-discipline? Let's look at Jabu (Pule) Mahlangu… In fact, let's look at Lovers Mohlala. He was giving everything on the field of play, but there were more disciplined players that couldn't give what he was giving to his club. What do you do? Get rid of Lovers for someone who is not going to give you what you're looking for? Football is a results-orientated business and as a coach you have to win because you are judged by your results. Coach Pitso protected the players and it is not like he never experienced any problems. I'm not saying the current coach (Mokwena) is not protecting his charges, coaches protect their players until they can't protect them anymore. You must know, good players aren't disciplined! Most of them are not disciplined at all. You'll hear a lot of negative stories about great players because they are talented. The ones that are disciplined, you must know they will never give anything or carry the team. Check most of the top players and you will see what I am talking about. There are very few disciplined good players.
VJ: Hmmm…
LM: I will tell you about someone who was regarded as one of the most disciplined and professional players ever and a great leader. He gets into the field, he can't deliver half of what the ill-disciplined players can offer. Discipline is all about how you handle issues outside of the field, but you are there to play football on the field. That's what the team needs you for, the most. That's your discipline on the field and the discipline outside of the field goes with your image. One thing that players don't seem to understand is that fame can be harmful. Whatever negative stuff you do outside the field might affect your performances. Also, some of the things we do during our playing days come back to haunt us in our retirement because people will always associate you with the wrong things you've done even if you've changed. Every company looks at your image and the positive things you bring in life. I had to change my ways for things to start happening for me.
VJ: Right.
LM: I carried a gun to training at Sundowns! Whenever I wanted money, I would put the gun on Natasha's desk and tell her, "Hey Natasha, I want my money!" That's how I used to deal with things, but I have outgrown that personality after doing a lot of things I was not supposed to do. I wish you guys can write my book because there are a lot of things that people don't know about me or stories I have never shared with anyone about my career and life. If I tell you stories about my career, if I tell you stories about my background and how I grew up… I used to eat pumpkin seeds with salt and pap. It will take me almost 15 days telling you about my life stories and, mostly, things that people don't know about me.
VJ: We can't wait for that tell-all book. Any message to Sundowns players, before we let you go?
LM: Sundowns must stay intact. They must not listen to negative things and they must know that they've become enemy number one of every team in the country. Every supporter is against Sundowns, but we have made history, so it comes with the territory. Every player wants to leave a legacy and that's what our players should be focusing on. Playing well for the team and getting media attention will get you endorsements even after your retirement, so that should be your focus. Make sure you keep whatever problems you have inside and not let the outside world know about it. Focus on Al Ahly and the Champions League so that you become the top team in the continent. Please turn a blind eye to what's in the media and social media about you and the club.
What are your opinions on the recent events at the club? Let us know in the comments below!
