Vilakazi sceptical of new Sundowns coaching structure, sees 'open league'
Former Bafana Bafana midfielder Benedict Vilakazi told EWN that Rulani Mokwena’s departure would spell the end of Sundowns’ dominance and allow for a more evenly contested title race.
Mamelodi Sundowns' coaching team - Manqoba Mngqithi and Romain Folz. Picture: X/@Masandawana
JOHANNESBURG - Former Bafana Bafana midfielder Benedict Vilakazi is sceptical of the new Mamelodi Sundowns coaching structure and doubts the club will be able to maintain its stranglehold on domestic football.
Sundowns have won seven consecutive league titles and coasted to victory last season as they finished with 22 wins and a solitary loss, which they suffered on the last day of the campaign.
Despite a record points total and winning the inaugural African Football League title, the Brazilians axed coach Rulani Mokwena after their loss to Orlando Pirates in the Nedbank Cup final and a semi-final elimination in the CAF Champions League.
Vilakazi told EWN that Mokwena’s departure would spell the end of Sundowns’ dominance and allow for a more evenly contested title race.
"The Betway Premiership this time around, I see it as an open league. I will put pressure on Pirates now and say: ‘Go for the kill, it’s your turn now’. If Rulani was still at Sundowns, I was going to say let's rather give to them already," Vilakazi said.
Mokwena was replaced by Manqoba Mngqithi as the head coach and with Steve Khompela and Romain Folz as his assistants. However, Vilakazi doesn’t think the new coaching structure that has been installed will succeed based on their past at other clubs.
"I never seen them, in their own capacity, having a team and taking them to the top four. Let’s check Manqoba Mngqithi - I don’t remember seeing Golden Arrows or AmaZulu in the top four. Same with Steve Khompela with Free State Stars, with Platinum Stars, Maritzburg United or Golden Arrows. And Romain Folz, I don’t remember seeing him finish a season," said Vilakazi.
Vilakazi played for both Pirates and Sundowns during his career and called the Buccaneers the favourites to win the league championship after he was left unimpressed by Sundowns in their 1-0 win over Polokwane City in the MTN8 quarter-finals. He expects them to struggle when they come up against Africa’s giants in the Champions League.
"After that game, I’ve got loads of questions. If Sundowns can’t break Polokwane City’s defence, how are they going to do it with Al Ahly or Wydad Casablanca? Mind you, Wydad gave Rulani a massive headache."
The new Betway Premiership season kicks off on 14 September.