WINNING IS IN SUNDOWNS’ DNA, SAYS COACH MULAUDZI

By KOPANO MONAHENG

MAMELODI Sundowns’ men’s and women’s teams have built a culture of success, with trophy-winning performances setting the benchmark at the club. Any coach that arrives at Sundowns is therefore expected to embrace and uphold that winning mentality, while maintain the standards that have become synonymous with the club.
But what is the secret behind the club’s winning mentality?
Coach Rhoda Mulaudzi told The Imagy that winning is part of the club’s DNA, crediting the team’s success to its knowledgeable coaches and tactical strength.
“I can say it is in our DNA. We have good coaches who understand the game and are tactically strong,” she said. Mulaudzi said there’s always pressure to win when you’re coaching a team like Sundowns, so this trophy obviously they would want to win it by all costs.
However, that does not mean that they should disrespect their opponents. “We respect every team we compete against,” she said.
Mulaudzi also highlighted the importance of the Engen Champ of Champs tournament, saying it provides young players with an opportunity to test themselves against some of the best emerging talent in the country. Any team they play against in the three days tournament they’re determined to do their best so that they are crowned champions come Sunday afternoon.

“The Engen Champ of Champs tournament gives our players an opportunity to compete against some of the best young players in the country and showcase their talent. It also allows us to see whether what we teach them during training is being applied on the field.
“We want to prepare them mentally and technically so that when they get an opportunity to be promoted to the senior team, they already understand what it takes to compete at a high level.”