Moroka Swallows head coach Steve Komphela has suggested that Mamelodi
Sundowns’ participation in the African Football League gives rivals in the
South African Premier Soccer League (PSL) a better chance to win the
league title.
The Brazilians have already started taking part in the inaugural African
Football League tournament from this Saturday, with a 2-0 win away from
home against Petro de Luanda in the quarter-final first-leg.
Victory in our first ever #AFL match! Time to gear up for the return leg! 👆
Petro De Luanda 0⃣➖2⃣ Mamelodi Sundowns (67' Allende, 80' Maseko)#Sundowns #DownsLive #AFL pic.twitter.com/C5v6DXbdmn
— Mamelodi Sundowns FC (@Masandawana) October 21, 2023
Komphela believes that with Sundowns having to juggle their commitments
in both the African Super League and the CAF Champions League, they may be
more prone to fatigue and tiredness, giving the other PSL teams a better
opportunity to overtake them.
“When I look at Sundowns, as someone outside Mamelodi Sundowns, who is
aggressively looking to get better and above Mamelodi Sundowns, then you
have a thinking that, ‘Hey, it serves us well in the PSL’ in this manner,”
Komphela said in a Carling Knockout press conference.
“If Mamelodi Sundowns are too busy, the schedule is too heavy, they will
feel the pinch. They will be tired and all that. So then it becomes a
responsibility of whichever teams in the PSL, who are ready to stay fresh,
compete and win, they have a chance.”
Komphela believes that Sundowns’ schedule may be a challenge but believes
that with the right periodization, rest, hydration, nutrition and diet,
they may still be able to compete.
“Somebody who is back in South Africa just training, resting, waiting to
play stands a better chance and those who have done data analysis and
audit, when you check at Mamelodi Sundowns over the years, if you look at
who was likely to be the next in line,” he said.
The former Kaizer Chiefs mentor believes that the competition in the PSL
will be more open this season due to Sundowns’ participation in the
African Super League, giving other teams a better chance to clinch the
league title.
