Mamelodi Sundowns coach Rulani Mokwena. Image: @MamelodiSundowns/Facebook)
Mokwena on Shalulile: ‘Strikers like Haaland also miss’
Sundowns’ top scorer Peter Shalulile hits goal drought, worrying coach Mokwena. Can he regain his scoring touch?
Mamelodi Sundowns coach Rulani Mokwena. Image: @MamelodiSundowns/Facebook)
Mamelodi Sundowns coach Rulani Mokwena is becoming increasingly concerned with the scoring slump of his star striker, Peter Shalulile. The Namibian forward, a consistent goal-scoring force in recent seasons, has found the back of the net only once in his last 12 matches across all competitions.
Mokwena admitted his worry ahead of Sundowns’ Nedbank Cup Round of 16 match against Maritzburg United. “I will be lying to you if I said it doesn’t worry me but I am trying for him not to see that it worries me,” he said.
Sundowns Searching for Solutions
However, Mokwena expressed confidence in his player despite the recent lack of goals: “We had a session and a lot of it was focused on the final third and the funny thing is he was banging in goals, and with his left foot.”
He quipped, “I asked him if it was the return of Peter Shalulile, and he looked at me and said it is the return of the left foot. I am hoping he continues like this at training; we are doing a lot of work with him.”
Team Effort Eases Goal-Scoring Burden
Despite Shalulile’s goal drought, Sundowns have maintained a steady scoring output across competitions. Mokwena credits this to his team’s overall approach: “What I like is all the players make a contribution to goals because our game is a little more detailed than just putting the ball into the back of the net. There is so much work they have to do in and out of possession.”
Shalulile Not Alone in Facing Goal Droughts
Mokwena recognizes that even elite strikers experience these difficult periods. “All strikers, you go from Benzema, Cristiano Ronaldo and Erling Haaland, go through lean spells,” he observed.
Citing a recent Manchester City game, he highlighted how even Haaland missed an easy scoring opportunity. “Strikers go through these situations, but you have to support them, and fortunately, he has good teammates around him, they support him. He will be fine because he is a good person.”
