Downs coach shoots down title remarks

Downs coach shoots down title remarks

No league title has ever been won this early. That’s the view of Mamelodi Sundowns coach Rulani Mokwena, whose side went seven points clear of their nearest DStv Premiership rival, and remained top of the table, following a polished 2-0 win over Swallows FC on Tuesday night.

Downs finally breached the resolute Dube Birds defense with goals from midfielders Neo Maema and Themba Zwane in the second half. 

But Mokwena rejects the notion that the title is wrapped up. 

"It's too early to say that the league is wrapped up because we still have such a long way to go. No league title has ever been won in January, there are still so many games to go. Congratulations to the players, the rest of the technical team and Mamelodi Sundowns supporters.

This is an important win against a very difficult team. We expected it, we spoke about it even here in the presser we said it was going to be difficult and it proved to be very difficult. These are the games that win you championships,"" Mokwena said.

He did not want to take the full credit for Sundowns’ winning streak since he was appointed sole head coach at the club. 

The Brazilians have now won eight league fixtures in a row, four of them came after the recent technical team changes.

"It's not necessarily four games because I know the change happened but from a personal space, I was always co-head coach. So, there's not really  too much excitement for me in that space as long as the club keeps winning, the supporters keep getting happy and the players do very very well," he added.

Swallows hardly troubled the hosts, but when they did get a sniff at goal…Downs had a safe pair of hands between the sticks in Ronwen Williams, who has made the No.1 jersey at the club his own since arriving this season.

"They say a good boxer needs a very good sparring partner and he just happens to have exceptional goalkeepers around him. Denis Onyango is exceptional, Kennedy is exceptional, Reyaad Pieterse is exceptional and Jody February exceptional too.

Then the goalkeeping department is led by a good human being in coach Wendell Robinson who happens to be a former professional football player and extremely talented football coach. So, when you have that in your space it's not only about Ronwen who has improved his game tremendously," the Brazillian's coach concluded.