Every team has its highs and lows, and for Mamelodi Sundowns, this season has brought a few challenges, especially in domestic cup competitions.
While the team continues to perform well in the league, they’ve recently struggled to find success in the cup arena, a stark contrast to their league dominance.
With Orlando Pirates stepping up to the plate, claiming five of the last six cup titles, the pressure is on for Sundowns to improve their game.
Recent Cup Disappointments
The last time Sundowns celebrated a cup victory was in 2022 when they defeated Marumo Gallants in the Nedbank Cup final.
Since then, despite reaching the finals of both the MTN8 and the Nedbank Cup last season, they fell short against the Pirates.
This season hasn’t been any easier; they were eliminated in the MTN8 semifinals by the impressive Stellenbosch FC, who outplayed them in both legs.
Maema Speaks Out
Neo Maema, the attacking midfielder for Sundowns, recently opened up about the team’s cup struggles during the Carling Knockout Cup launch.
He acknowledged that the lack of success in these competitions has been a source of concern for him and his teammates.
“It’s obviously bothering us,” Maema stated.
“Personally, I don’t like it, and as a team, it frustrates us because we are very consistent in our league matches. We aim to win every game, but when it comes to cups, we just seem to fall short.”
No Cause for Alarm
However, Maema was quick to clarify that he doesn’t believe there’s a deeper issue affecting the team.
He pointed out that such setbacks are part of football.
“We want to win domestic cups, and we don’t want to have that nagging thought that we can’t win in cup competitions,” he emphasized.
When questioned about what might be lacking in their gameplay, Maema expressed confidence in the team.
“I don’t think there’s anything missing at Mamelodi Sundowns. We have the right players, a strong technical team, and unwavering support from our management.”
Focused on Improvement
As the season progresses, Maema stressed the importance of focusing on each match individually, starting with their upcoming game against Golden Arrows.
“It’s crucial for us to take one game at a time and ensure we manage our stamina, especially at the beginning of the season with so many games ahead. We need to make sure we perform well for the full 90 minutes.”
With the right mindset and determination, Mamelodi Sundowns are set on turning their fortunes around in cup competitions this season.