Details have emerged of how Mamelodi Sundowns’ meticulous player-scouting blueprint translates to their DStv Premiership monopoly. Sundowns have rendered the DStv Premiership their personal effect, winning the championship six times on the spin. Rulani Mokwena’s Masandawana dominate the PSL in the same manner that Manchester City does in the English Premier League.
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Why Sundowns’ success is beyond just money
Some quarters say it is all down to the millions which the Motsepe family spends on buying top players. That is the same jazz attributed to Pep Guardiola’s success in the Premier League. However, if coach Mokwena’s press briefing on Saturday was anything to go by, it is not just about the money. The South African accessed the recording of the press conference via Mahlatse Mphahletse’s X.com account.
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Even if you have the money, you need to spend it wisely. That is what the DStv Premiership champions do. They not only buy quality players such as Marcelo Allende and Peter Shalulile. Mokwena said the PSL giants also have a comprehensive scouting system. The system focuses on off-the-field aspects before delving into the actual on-the-pitch details.
A peep into Sundowns’ scouting template
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Mokwena said Sundowns’ scouting template has a box to be ticked on personality traits. The scouting also zeros in one’s circle of friends and the influence of such a company. And of course, a player’s quality and compatibility to the team’s playing philosophy.
Rulani Mokwena compares Sundowns and Hugo Broos’ values
Mokwena drew comparisons between Bafana Bafana coach Hugo Broos’ players’ selection criteria to that of the Tshwane-based giants. The youthful trainer observed that Broos, apart from performance, rewards honesty, loyalty and respect. The African Football League (AFL)-winning mentor said such values matter when signing players. He said: “That is why when you want to play for Sundowns you must be a good human being first. That is the first discussion we have.”
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Sundowns’ scouts scrutinise values such as loyalty, respect and honesty. Mokwena explained: “These are the values that modern-day society has gone without. They are out of the window.” The scouting system at Sundowns also looks at one’s circle of friends, according to the coach. “We look at you. We follow you. We check your friends [and] the influence [on you]. We look behind and check because we don’t want bad people in our space,” he added.
What next now for the DStv Premiership kings?
The 16-time league champions currently lead the DStv Premiership log table comfortably and look forward to their record-extending seventh consecutive league title. Mokwena is also vying for more continental honours. With the AFL title in the bag, next is the CAF Champions League.
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