MAMELODI Sundowns may still be unbeaten after four Absa Premiership fixtures, but their failure to keep up with the pace of the game is a cause for concern for the club.
"It's an issue coach Johan Neeskens and all of us are addressing with the playing personnel," said Sundowns joint assistant coach Alex "Barnes" Bapela.
Sundowns were once more badly exposed after running out of steam in Tuesday night's 3-2 win over Bidvest Wits at Mbombela stadium.
They led 3-0 at the interval but a siesta in the second half let Wits back into the game.
The lapse in concentration also happened against Orlando Pirates in the MTN8 semifinal first leg at Orlando Stadium last month, where they led 2-0 at half time. Pirates went on to score three goals in the second half, winning the match 3-2.
"It is a cause for concern that we do not play for the 90 minutes of regulation time, we want to win the league and that's an issue we have to sort out," Bapela said. "We are inconsistent, there are times were we start badly and do well in the second half or the other way round. If we play well for 90 minutes, we should score 10 or more goals."
Bapela acknowledged that Sunday's opponents Ajax Cape Town, who they meet at Lucas Moripe Stadium, had become a hoodoo side for Downs.
"We struggle a little bit against them but they will find us ready this time. They won't even get a single point. Our aim is to keep on winning. We have a great coach in Johan. He is a master tactician."
Bapela is also happy that their chief striker Katlego "Killer" Mphela is banging in goals again and Teko Modise is gradually regaining his magical form. Mphela is the PSL's top scorer with five goals.
Weekend fixtures:
Saturday
Soccer City: Kaizer Chiefs vs Orlando Pirates (3pm); Royal Bafokeng: Platinum Stars vs Black Leopards Royal (3pm); Athlone: Santos vs Bloem Celtic (6pm); Sinaba: Jomo Cosmos vs SuperSport United (8.15pm); Moses Mabhida: AmaZulu vs Moroka Swallows (8.15pm);
Sunday
Lucas Moripe: Sundowns vs Ajax (3pm); Charles Mopeli: Free State Stars v Bidvest Wits (3pm); Harry Gwala: Maritzburg Utd vs Golden Arrows (6pm).
Downs can't hide big flaw
MAMELODI Sundowns may still be unbeaten after four Absa Premiership fixtures, but their failure to keep up with the pace of the game is a cause for concern for the club.
"It's an issue coach Johan Neeskens and all of us are addressing with the playing personnel," said Sundowns joint assistant coach Alex "Barnes" Bapela.
Sundowns were once more badly exposed after running out of steam in Tuesday night's 3-2 win over Bidvest Wits at Mbombela stadium.
They led 3-0 at the interval but a siesta in the second half let Wits back into the game.
The lapse in concentration also happened against Orlando Pirates in the MTN8 semifinal first leg at Orlando Stadium last month, where they led 2-0 at half time. Pirates went on to score three goals in the second half, winning the match 3-2.
"It is a cause for concern that we do not play for the 90 minutes of regulation time, we want to win the league and that's an issue we have to sort out," Bapela said. "We are inconsistent, there are times were we start badly and do well in the second half or the other way round. If we play well for 90 minutes, we should score 10 or more goals."
Bapela acknowledged that Sunday's opponents Ajax Cape Town, who they meet at Lucas Moripe Stadium, had become a hoodoo side for Downs.
"We struggle a little bit against them but they will find us ready this time. They won't even get a single point. Our aim is to keep on winning. We have a great coach in Johan. He is a master tactician."
Bapela is also happy that their chief striker Katlego "Killer" Mphela is banging in goals again and Teko Modise is gradually regaining his magical form. Mphela is the PSL's top scorer with five goals.
Weekend fixtures:
Saturday
Soccer City: Kaizer Chiefs vs Orlando Pirates (3pm); Royal Bafokeng: Platinum Stars vs Black Leopards Royal (3pm); Athlone: Santos vs Bloem Celtic (6pm); Sinaba: Jomo Cosmos vs SuperSport United (8.15pm); Moses Mabhida: AmaZulu vs Moroka Swallows (8.15pm);
Sunday
Lucas Moripe: Sundowns vs Ajax (3pm); Charles Mopeli: Free State Stars v Bidvest Wits (3pm); Harry Gwala: Maritzburg Utd vs Golden Arrows (6pm).
Would you like to comment on this article?
Register (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.
Trending
Latest Videos