Muhsin Ertugral: What Mamelodi Sundowns need to rise again

Former Kaizer Chiefs coach Muhsin Ertugral has explained why Mamelodi Sundowns seem to be struggling—by their lofty standards—this season in South Africa’s top-flight league.

Doubts are emerging on the Betway Premiership serial winners’ pedigree. Even more after their MTN8 semi final exit over the weekend. Sundowns lost on post-match penalties to Orlando Pirates.

The questions have also grown considering the mass exodus of key players, with more reportedly pushing for exits.

Players such as Khuliso Mudau, Ntando Nkosi, Terrence Mashego, Peter Shalulile and Lucas Ribeiro reportedly want to leave the Betway Premiership champions.

Stars Thembinkosi Lorch, Sipho Mbule, Rivaldo Coetzee and Neo Maema already left the Pretoria-based team.

Commenting on the state of affairs in Miguel Cardoso’s camp, Ertugral attributed the team’s slow start to the season to their recent involvement in the FIFA Club World Cup in America.

“For Sundowns, [it] is a difficult cycle,” the Turkey-born mentor wrote on his official Facebook account @ Muhsin Ertrugral. “After the season, the World Cup has had a huge influence in their periodization.”

The former Cape Town City trainer has since explained why he thinks Sundowns will rise again. He insisted that they just need a bit of time to recharge.

“I think they need a couple [of] weeks more to be back in the routine. I experienced it in 2002 after winning all the cups. We couldn’t rise up. They [Sundowns] have [the] quality and will be in the race again,” Ertugral added.

The experienced coach was responding to a question Mlungisi Zondi posed on Facebook. “Your opinion on Sundowns this season; any chance of them defending the league again?” Zondi wrote.

The uncertainty over the players’ future prompted Sundowns to release a statement last week demanding professionalism from potential suitors while looking at the South African club’s interest in respect of its investment in its success.