Downs have picked up four wins in a row since Mokwena was made head coach, Steve Komphela was promoted to first team coach, while Manqoba Mngqithi took the position previously occupied by Komphela of senior coach.

The Brazilians crushed Orlando Pirates 4-0 at FNB Stadium on Saturday to be crowned Carling Black Label Cup champions and speaking after the game, Mokwena credited his players for making it a smooth transition.

"I always say to you that the game belongs to the players. We've little control over what happens over 90 minutes. We can change things and influence with subs, but huge credit has to go to the Sundowns players for accepting the change in the leadership," Mokwena said.

"That takes a lot of humility and devotional acceptance. Also, with the fact that we need to play with a little bit of personality and that's what we continued to do.

"We have a responsibility and the first immediate mandate is to win football matches. We've put a lineup without any sort of bias in relation to whether the player is young or old.

"We try to have the best team on the pitch because we have to win the football match. Because of my background as a coach, having spent a lot of time with the youth and having worked with young players, I got a little bit biased towards the young players.

"I'm sitting here as a product of a youth coach. Someone believed in me and gave me a chance and today I sit in a position of privilege where I can coach some of the best players in the country.

"I feel it is part of my responsibility not just to coach and help but to try wherever I go to give opportunities to young players and help the clubs have better futures.

"I've done it almost everywhere I went. I'm just proud of these kids, Cassius Mailula and Nkosi. We have a type of responsibility and also help the club to have a bright future."

RAMBO KUBHEKA

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