Mamelodi Sundowns coach Rulani Mokwena acknowledged the team’s demanding schedule after their narrow 2-1 victory over Sekhukhune United at Loftus Stadium in the DStv Premiership on Tuesday.

The win puts them just six points away from securing their seventh consecutive league title.

Despite arriving back from Tunisia on Sunday night with limited training, Sundowns displayed dominance early on with goals from Tashreeq Matthews in the second minute and Thapelo Morena five minutes later. However, they were unable to extend their lead in the second half, conceding a penalty to Sekhukhune’s Chibuike Ohizu in the 50th minute. The momentum shifted in Sekhukhune’s favor after the goal, but the home side held firm to secure the win.

Mokwena was forced to rotate his squad heavily in preparation for the second leg of their CAF Champions League semifinal against ES Esperance on Friday. Esperance currently leads the tie 1-0.

“I don’t know how many times I changed formations today, positions,” Mokwena told SuperSport TV after the game. 

“I got to give credit to these players (after we had) 11 hours flight, no training (back from Tunisia), and people think it is just one group of players, everyone travels. 

“11 hours we are traveling, we are all in this thing together.”

He continued, praising his players’ commitment: “So, the boys are tired, but they are not making excuses. These kids are running, they are giving everything they can and I’m very proud of them. What we did today is because of our mentality, nothing else.  

“It is our mentality and I’m very proud of that.” 

This victory extends Sundowns’ unbeaten run in the league since September 2022. Coach Mokwena himself has not lost a league match since taking charge two months later.

Picture courtesy of Mamelodi Sundowns