Rulani Mokwena: Mamelodi Sundowns Coach Lays Out Plans for January

• Mamelodi Sundowns have made a terrific start to the 2023/24 season
• They are comfortably on top of the DStv Premiership table with 34 points
• Coach Rulani Mokwena recently outlined their plans for January

The 2024 Africa Cup of Nations will take place between 13 January to 11 February 2024 in Abidjan, Yamoussoukro, Bouake, San Pedro, and Korhogo in Cote d'Ivoire.

This means club football across Africa will take a break.

Mamelodi Sundowns coach Rulani Mokwena recently explained what the club plans to do during the pause.

Sundowns' perfect record in the DStv Premiership was ended on Christmas Eve by Cape Town City, who became the first team to take points off the reigning champions, per SuperSport.

However, they are still top of the table with 34 points from 12 games. SuperSport United are second with 29 points but have played three games more than the leaders.

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Sundowns have two games before they take a break for AFCON. They play Moroka Swallows and Polokwane City before the tournament.

Mokwena on Sundowns plans

Masandawana have played a total of 33 games since the start of the campaign, including two games from their European tour.

Mokwena feels his team needs a break, and it couldn't come at a better time.

“Ja, we will take a bit of a break. We are in desperate need of a holiday,” Mokwena said, per iDiski Times.

“It’s a pity, I’ll probably have 10 players at AFCON in Ivory Coast. So those ones will then probably have a rest after AFCON.

The coach gave a sneak peek into the team's plans before and after the AFCON tournament.

"We’ll probably have a short camp that will be in South Africa, without too much travelling, and prepare for what will be some gruelling games when we start."

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They will face Golden Arrows and Orlando Pirates after the tournament, and he feels they need to be ready for the two games.

Why Sundowns dropped points

Sports Brief earlier reported on Mokwena explaining why they failed to extend their perfect PSL record when they drew 0-0 with Cape Town City.

He said they created chances but not as many as they would like but was happy with the performances of the opponent, who he felt didn't threaten them.