Coach Rulani Mokwena of Mamelodi Sundowns reflects on their recent win in the African Football League, emphasizing the importance of avoiding complacency and appreciating the unpredictable nature of football. He stresses that victory is not an inherent right but a significant accomplishment that deserves celebration, while also promoting humility in the face of success and resilience in defeat. Mokwena believes that emotional investment in the game is crucial, as it serves as a reminder of the personal commitment to the sport.
Celebrating achievements can strengthen the spirit and serve as reminders that victory isn’t an inherent privilege. Coach Rulani Mokwena emphasizes the importance of avoiding complacency by never taking victory for granted and appreciating the unpredictability of football.
Following their recent triumph in the inaugural African Football League (AFL), Rulani Mokwena, the successful coach of Mamelodi Sundowns, revealed the influence of famed soccer manager Pep Guardiola’s wisdom in maintaining balance within his squad. Mokwena stressed to his team that their victory wasn’t something that was preordained. It wasn’t an inherent right but a significant accomplishment, one that deserved celebration.
As Mokwena relayed his thoughts on the Sundowns Pitchside Podcast, he shared that he allowed his triumphant team a 48-hour break to soak in their success over Wydad Casablanca. This shrewd tactician highlighted the perils associated with developing an expectation of victory. In the first leg of the AFL final, Sundowns suffered a 2-1 loss in Morocco before bouncing back with an impressive 2-0 triumph at the Loftus Versfeld Stadium, buzzing with enthusiasm.
Mokwena reminded his players, “Victory is a deceiver; no one is entitled to it. Similarly, defeat is not preordained. Neither is a part of your birthright nor will it be inscribed on your tombstone.” This outlook promotes humility in the face of success and resilience in defeat.
Mokwena further elaborated on the physiological and psychological advantages of celebrating achievements. He believes they strengthen the spirit and act as reminders that victory isn’t an inherent privilege. This perspective serves as a reality check for those who assume they are entitled to success. He mentioned Chelsea, a club with a rich history of winning prestigious titles, now wrestling to secure successive victories as a fitting example.
Mokwena also pointed to Manchester United, a club that relished in past glory, now dealing with constant managerial changes and massive investments, yet failing to clinch championships. The shadow of their past successes looms over their current predicaments, underlining the fleeting nature of glory.
Mokwena emphasized that his Sundowns players must steer clear of such complacency by never taking victory for granted. As they prepare to sustain their winning streak in the CAF Champions League, they must appreciate the inherent unpredictability of football. For their opening group stage game against Nouadhibou of Mauritania on home turf, the Sundowns have been advised to stay humble.
The coach reiterated Pep Guardiola’s counsel to Manchester City players and supporters, “Don’t let success spoil you, savor it because eras come and pass.” This philosophy serves as an antidote to the allure of victory. Mokwena believes that it’s normal to feel a potent emotional connection to the result, stating, “You’ve got to feel something with the result, otherwise, you should question your investment in the game.”
In Mokwena’s opinion, a lack of emotional reaction to a loss implies an issue, just as the absence of thrill from a win does. The key isn’t the fixation on victory, but the personal commitment to the game. If winning doesn’t spark joy and losing doesn’t generate hurt, then the true spirit of the game is lost. This sentiment reverberates within the Mamelodi Sundowns as they forge ahead on their journey in African football.
Coach Rulani Mokwena emphasizes that celebrating achievements can strengthen the spirit and serve as reminders that victory isn’t an inherent privilege. It is important to avoid complacency by never taking victory for granted and appreciating the unpredictability of football.
Coach Rulani Mokwena stressed that their recent win in the African Football League was not something that was preordained or an inherent right, but a significant accomplishment that deserves celebration. He reminded his players that victory is not a deception and neither is defeat a part of their birthright.
Coach Rulani Mokwena believes that emotional investment in football is crucial as it serves as a reminder of the personal commitment to the sport. A lack of emotional reaction to a loss implies an issue, just as the absence of thrill from a win does.
Celebrating achievements can strengthen the spirit and serve as reminders that victory isn’t an inherent privilege. It serves as a reality check for those who assume they are entitled to success, helping them steer clear of complacency.
Coach Rulani Mokwena mentioned Manchester United, a club that relished in past glory, now dealing with constant managerial changes and massive investments, yet failing to clinch championships. The shadow of their past successes looms over their current predicaments underlining the fleeting nature of glory.
The Sundowns must appreciate the inherent unpredictability of football and stay humble as they prepare to sustain their winning streak in the CAF Champions League. They have been advised to steer clear of complacency by never taking victory for granted.
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