Chiefs and Pirates success more appreciated – Rulani Mokwena

The Brazilians are the inaugural winners of the African Football League, sit pretty at the top of the DStv Premiership table and have progressed to the quarterfinals of both the CAF Champions League and the Nedbank Cup.

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Yet Mokwena feels the “pressure” he is under is being downplayed.

 ''I'm under a lot of pressure, everyday I have to win, but that is the nature of the business - you have got to win. 

''I agree with you, I think you are correct to say - if you were to give the current results to anyone of the Soweto Giants, I think there would be a little bit more appreciation,'' said Mokwena.

Mokwena adds he’s accepted the status quo.

''When you are at a big club like Mamelodi Sundowns, winning is not enough. You have got to win and win and continue to win. That's my life, it is something I have accepted,'' he added.

Another challenge Mokwena has faced is questions around his Sundowns selection criteria at times – and this week he was asked about the lack of game time for defender Rushine De Reuck and midfielder Neo Maema. 

''They are not doing anything wrong - it is just competition, at a certain point you have to understand the dynamics of the club, we need Rushine, we need Neo and we need them at their best, and the injuries have not helped.

''But they are now back at training and they have to wait and fight for their place,'' said Mokwena.

The Sundowns coach, who signed a four-year contract in July last year, insists he can’t please everyone.

''Sometimes I am asked why a certain player is not playing, I can't play all of them - only 11 can play,'' he concluded.