Share

Neeskens remains resolute

Johannesburg - Mamelodi Sundowns coach Johan Neeskens remains resolute after four League and Cup defeats that saw the Brazilians plummet to 13th position on the PSL table.

Neeskens said at the club's Chloorkop headquarters on Tuesday afternoon he was confident the club would turn the corner in Wednesday night's Pretoria derby against fierce rivals SuperSport United, at the Lucas Moripe Stadium in Atteridgeville.

A mere three points from four Premier League matches has precipitated a crisis in the ranks of one of the glamour clubs of South African soccer, with over-zealous supporters running amok following the most recent home defeat against Maritzburg United and baying for Neeskens's blood.

"I am heartened by the fact that we provided an encouraging improvement in the last game against Golden Arrows in Durban," added the Sundowns coach, "and played in a manner expected of our reputation, until a last-minute goal proved a bitter pill to swallow in the 1-0 defeat."

Neeskens said there was fundamentally nothing wrong with his expensively-assembled squad and the string of defeats was basically due to a series of elementary individual mistakes, which one does not expect from players of the highest calibre.

"Still," he added, "this sometimes happens to even the best of teams in soccer, when nothing seems to go your way.

"It is frustrating," he admitted, "because I cannot point to any specific area and say that is where we need strengthening. We've got the necessary material and I believe the tide is about to turn in our favour."

Neeskens pointed to the fact that defending Premier League champions Orlando Pirates and runners-up Moroka Swallows had both made indifferent starts to last season before finding their feet and ending up as the top clubs in the country.

The Sundowns coach said the team was also boosted for the game against SuperSport by the return of several players who had been unavailable because of injuries and other reasons. Zimbabwean international striker Nyasha Mushekwi, who has been on trials in Europe, is now back in fighting shape.

But there is no bright news for the Sundowns' fans regarding Bafana Bafana striker Katlego Mphela, who has been out of soccer since the start of the season and is still recuperating from injury.

"There has been some improvement," said Neeskens, "but he has not been able to resume training with the squad, let alone start playing."

Sundowns captain Teko Modise said it was natural the players were unhappy over the club's recent eclipse, "but we remain united and optimistic of a change in fortunes."

He believed it could happen in the game against SuperSport, although Sundowns would not under-estimate a team with no noticeable weaknesses and a proven record of success.

Modise said it was "not up to me to figure out how SuperSport will respond to their MTN8 Cup Final defeat against Moroka Swallows over the week-end.

"I know how I react to a setback - I don't know how it affects others."

But it was Liberian international star and former SuperSport United midfielder, Anthony Laffor, who possibly best reflected the feelings in the Brazilians' camp surrounding Wednesday night's derby at Lucas Moripe Stadium.

"This is a must-win game for us," he said. "We can't view it as anything else."

We live in a world where facts and fiction get blurred
Who we choose to trust can have a profound impact on our lives. Join thousands of devoted South Africans who look to News24 to bring them news they can trust every day. As we celebrate 25 years, become a News24 subscriber as we strive to keep you informed, inspired and empowered.
Join News24 today
heading
description
username
Show Comments ()
Voting Booth
Should Siya Kolisi keep the captaincy as the Springboks build towards their World Cup title defence in 2027?
Please select an option Oops! Something went wrong, please try again later.
Results
Yes! Siya will only be 36 at the next World Cup. He can make it!
25% - 1273 votes
No! I think the smart thing to do is start again with a younger skipper ...
29% - 1472 votes
I'd keep Siya captain for now, but look to have someone else for 2027.
45% - 2251 votes
Vote
Editorial feedback and complaints

Contact the public editor with feedback for our journalists, complaints, queries or suggestions about articles on News24.

LEARN MORE