Mamelodi Sundowns head coach Rulani Mokwena has sent a message to the supporters ahead of their CAF Champions League tie against Esperance on Friday.
Sundowns extended their lead at the top of the log to 13 points after edging Sekhunekhune 2-1 thanks to early goals by Tashreeq Matthews and Thapelo Morena.
READ| Sundowns sink Sekhukhune to open 13-point lead
"Congratulations to the football club. I thought well deserved three points. We started very well, we could have even scored more and I thought in certain moments we withdrew the block a little bit and as soon as the defensive block drops, then the strikers don't really have support," Mokwena said on SuperSport TV.
"But I think we adapted well tactically. I don't know how many times we changed the formation, changed positions. So I've got to give a lot of credit to these players, 11-hour flight, no training. People think it's just one group of players, everybody travels. We're all in this together, so the boys are tired but they are not making excuses. What we did today is because of our mentality and I'm very proud.
"When we rotate the team, I understand if we lose cohesion, I understand when we lose chemistry but I cannot complain about effort, I can't complain about legs, I can't complain about intensity and that was one of our biggest problems last season," he said.
Sundowns fans were seemingly signalling for the substitution and rushing Brian Onyango, who made a few errors in the game and the 37-year-old coach pleaded with their supporters to be patient with the players.
"It's the style of play, Sundowns supporters must believe in the style of play. We worked too hard to build this. This is the culture of the team. I say to the players all the time, I say we don't have like all the other big teams, we don't have the age, the history in relation to how long the club…We're not the oldest club," Mokwena said.
"So in terms of history and pedigree, the others have. The one special thing we have is our style of play and this thing of 'Shoeshine and Piano' the Brazilians, doesn't come with me. Now if the Sundowns supporters start to put pressure on the players what must happen? These players must make mistakes."
Mokwena went on and also pleaded with the Brazilians to fill Loftus Versfeld Stadium on Friday in their CAF Champions League semi-final second-leg against Esperance.
"Big match, I plead with the Sundowns supporters to come in numbers, support, sing and beat the drum, because we need them. This is the game we need them again, Champions League more than anything else. It's about the 12th man," Mokwena said.
"This stadium has to be full, has to be buzzing and has to be extremely intimidating for the opponents. Without that we are in a little bit of trouble. But you know we can do it in front of our people. We love them and we'll fight and sacrifice and die for them," he added.
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