Having beaten Kaizer Chiefs on two occasions last season, Mamelodi Sundowns head coach Rulani Mokwena has acknowledged the improvements he has seen in Amakhosi under new head coach Molefi Ntseki.
Read: The Curious Case Of Ngezana
The two sides experienced contrasting fortunes in their opening matches of the 2023/24 DStv Premiership with Sundowns beating Sekhukhune United 2-1 on Friday, while Chiefs had to settle for a share of the spoils on Sunday as they played out to a goalless draw against Chippa United.
On Wednesday though, the rivalry between the two sides will be reignited as the two foes go head-to-head at the Lucas Masterpieces Moripe Stadium in Attridgeville.
Speaking to the media ahead of the match, Mokwena gave an in-depth analysis of his opponents, revealing that he has seen an improvement in the squad under Ntseki's reign.
"Well, the starting point is we have to respect every team. You know, we have to respect all our opponents and Kaizer Chiefs are no different. We know the rivalry between Mamelodi Sundowns and Kaizer Chiefs, and already that makes it a big encounter," he said.
"The performances of the team, of course you have to also gauge in relation to some of the changes that have been made from a technical perspective. You've got a new coach, so he needs time to work on his ideas and get the players to adapt to a different way of doing things. And it's a little bit clear, even though it doesn't move too far away from the 4-2-3-1 that they employed, but there are moments where it's a little bit more aggressive over 4-3-3 and. And the front three is a little bit more in the advanced line than in the previous season under coach Arthur, and that also shows you the profile.
"You've got Ranga [Chivaviro], possibilities of [Christian] Saile, who's a striker but plays there, Ashley Du Preez plays up front and then you've got a front three that really in the profile of the makeup is strikers in the last line.
"So those possibilities show a big improvement on their side in relation to that. But yeah, as I said, big respect to them. From a physical profile they've got enough to hurt you both in open play and on set pieces. So, we've got to also understand that it's a team that's in the process of improving itself and it does seem to me that qualitatively they've improved a lot," he concluded.
Read: Mabena Finds A New Club After Pirates Exit
You must be SIGNED IN to read and post comments.
