Mamelodi Sundowns’ new coach Henri Michel is not pushing any panic buttons after his side crashed 1-0 to Kaizer Chiefs in a highly charged Absa Premiership showdown at the Johannesburg Stadium on Sunday.
But he should be worried. If the Downs fans stage another big stayaway when the Brazilians host struggling Bloemfontein Celtic at Atteridgeville’s Super Stadium on Wednesday, then alarm bells will
start to ring loud and clear. Kick-off is at 7.30pm.
The Amakhosi fans in the capacity 34 000 plus crowd on Sunday outnumbered their Downs counterparts by about 10-1. Downs officials were worried by the stayaway.
Said one official: ”The fans are showing they are unhappy by not coming to support the team. It is a worrying development.”
Michel, who is reputed to be earning R765 000 a month, said he would only make a few changes for the clash against Celtic.
He explained: ”Some players are not fit to play two games in four days because they are either young or they are coming back into the side after recovering from injury. I will make a few changes to strengthen the side against Celtic, but there is no reason to make a
lot of changes.”
Michel said he was not involved in who Downs are buying or selling in the January transfer window. The club have already released star midfielder Lerato Chabangu to neighbours and defending PSL champions SuperSport United when the Bafana Bafana star’s contract ends in July.
A number of players have been linked with a move away from Chloorkop, including winger Josta Dladla. Add the never ending saga of bad boy Mbulelo ”OJ” Mabizela who has been finally placed on transfer after his umpteenth act of ill discipline, and it does not take a genius to see all is not well at Sundowns.
That is all part of the fans’ unhappiness with the way things are being run by the big spending Chloorkop based outfit.
But the French speaking coach simply shrugged his shoulders and said whatever went on off the field did not disturb him or his job of coaching the team. He stressed he was not under any pressure, despite
the fact he has won only two of his eight matches in charge.
Said Michel: ”My job is to get the best out of the players on the training and playing field. I do not feel any pressure.”
Michel again labelled his side as ”average players” who he did not think could win any trophies. But again added he was confident he could get the club back to winning ways. ”We must keep the faith. I will get the side winning again.”
His side rarely looked like denting the better rganised Chiefs. The former France, Ivory Coast and Tunisian national coach replaced former Bafana coach Trott Moloto last November and has not enjoyed his time in the Premier Soccer League where he is struggling to get the well paid Brazilians to
Michel said he did not think his side should have lost against
Chiefs, but even Chiefs coach Muhsin Ertugral, who is a friend who rates Michel highly, could not believe his luck when Downs’ star midfielder Surprise Moriri was left ion the bench.
Said Ertugral: ”We had worked our game plan around Moriri — that is how dangerous I rate him — but I was pleasantly surprised when he was left out of the starting line-up.”
Celtic, under new coach Owen da Gama, staged a great fight back to draw 2-2 against Platinum Stars in Potchefstroom on Saturday night and the rejuvenated Phunya Sele-Sele pose another big test for ailing Downs. – Sapa