Before Mamelodi Sundowns jetted off to Sudan where they drew 1-1 with Al-Hilal last Saturday in the Caf Champions League, Downs head coach Rulani Mokwena spoke about the risks involved in starting to build from behind.
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And Sundowns faced the right problem when Abdel Raman stole the ball from goalkeeper Ronwen Williams to score Hilal’s goal, which was the equalizer for the hosts after Khuliso Mudau scored for Masandawana.
In this particular build-up play, Williams played a short goal kick to Mvala, who quickly returned the ball to Williams but Raman was quick enough to intercept the ball before Williams could turn the left corner.
“You need special awareness. Goalkeepers must have abilities because they cannot force themselves to have something they don’t have,” said Mokwena.
“The best defensive team is the one that defends the smallest space. If the ball goes from the goalkeeper to the central defender, it is easier to aim but if it goes to the center back to the goalkeeper, the space is bigger.
“The guard must be able to find the possibility because if the space is closed at one time, he has to put it in another place. It is risky,” he said.
Tick the Kekana box, ‘does not match’
One player Mokwena trusts in the box is Grant Kekana, who is described as one of the best zonal defenders in the DStv Premiership. However, Kekana is currently unavailable due to injury, and Mokwena can’t wait to have him back in the side.
“Grant is the best box defender I’ve seen in the country. When I say box, I’m talking about the penalty area. Others call it the red zone. In one game, there was too much in the box and Mvala made a mistake. Grant just waited and read the situation. I said that I have never seen anyone do such a thing,” said Mokwena.
“He told me that he has done this all his life at AmaTuks and SuperSport United. Today’s centre-backs need play-making ability, so that helps when we have players like Mothobi. Brian Onyango, Rushine De Reuck and Mosa Lebusa,” he added.
Meanwhile, Sundowns will shift their focus to the DStv Premiership where they now need just two points to clinch their sixth league title.