After winning the league and cup double with Mamelodi Sundowns in the 2015/16 PSL season, Mphahlele finished his debut campaign with no trophies as Amakhosi flattered to deceive yet again under coach Steve Komphela.
As they prepare for the new campaign, Amakhosi players do not need to be told of the wrath they’d have to face if they go a third consecutive season without a trophy, so Mphahlele has called on the team to do their best to win the MTN8 early in the campaign.
“We have to concentrate on that and try to bring it home. We owe it to the fans. They have been there for us and sometimes we even feel ashamed. We owe it to the chairman [Kaizer Motaung]. We owe them a trophy or two,” he adds.
Defensively, Amakhosi need to improve after losing concentration in key moments of the game. It’s what let them down in matches against the likes of Baroka FC, Golden Arrows and Cape Town City.
“That’s what we want to work on. I saw the interview of the chairman, saying the defence [can be better]. We made some crucial mistakes, but we have learnt. Next season we will do better. We will take games seriously and we will concentrate more. I think we owe it to everyone to do better.”