Speaking ahead of this weekend’s Soweto Derby, Mokwena expressed his discontent at the fact that no one has acknowledged the overall improvement of the club’s results and the efforts of the players.
The budding tactician pointed out how Pirates have tallied the greatest number of points in the current calendar year (51), while their current standing is also an improvement on last season’s.
“We’ve improved. Not a lot has been said about this team, and a lot has been said about the amount of work that the players have done,” said Mokwena.
“People are not aware that in 2018, Orlando Pirates have picked up more points than any other team – from the beginning of the year to the current stage that we’re in.
“People are not aware that we are still one of the teams – in fact, if not the team – that keeps the most possession and has a clear playing style and identity.
“And people are not aware that at this time last season, with the same number of games, we are at a better position than we were last season, and not a lot is being said about that.”
The former Mamelodi Sundowns assistant coach also spoke at length about the players’ efforts in ensuring the club’s current standing, including their recent work to outsmart Chippa United in the Telkom Knockout opening round last weekend.
“Sometimes it pains me that not a lot of credit is given to the players for the amount of hard work and sacrifice that they put in, because a lot goes in behind the scenes,” he added.
“The amount of stress that they have to endure from us, the amount of responsibility they have to carry in terms of leading and doing a lot of work [like] analysis of the opposition.
“Chippa United were analysed by the players, not by the technical team. The game model and plan against Chippa came mainly through the influence of the players.
“And they spend a lot of time investing in even watching how Orlando Pirates play and coming up with solutions to improve how we play, and not a lot of credit is given to them.”
Mokwena continued: “They are unbelievable with regards to how they carry themselves off the pitch. We are in a phase where you don’t hear a lot of Pirates players in newspapers and for the wrong reasons.
“The players have really tried to make sure that they serve not just the game, but they serve the badge with aplomb and give the best that they can on the pitch for 90 minutes.
“And you don’t find Pirates players shying away from pressure and hiding when games are difficult. These Pirates players are brave; they love the badge and they are always prepared to go the extra mile to make sure the club succeeds, and they deserve more credit than they get.”