30 July 2019, by: Grant de Smidt

MAMELODI SUNDOWNS PSL 2019/2020 PREVIEW

Mamelodi Sundowns head into the new PSL season chasing a third-straight league title. Below is a breakdown of the tactics expected to be used by Pitso Mosimane in the new season.

Sundowns have had a quiet transfer window so far, bringing in just forward, Mauricio Affonso and right back, Nyiko Mobbie. The latter is not part of the immediate plans and will spend the season on loan. Pitso Mosimane was very keen to add the multi-functional Aubrey Modiba to his squad, but SuperSport United were not willing to sell. Only a host of fringe players have left the club.

Pitso Mosimane has been very consistent with how he sets up his team, almost always using a back four and two deep-lying midfielders. The organisation of the front four can change depending on the personnel and requirements of the game.

A false nine (usually Lebohang Maboe, but also sometimes Sibusiso Vilakazi) with three narrow, attacking midfielders behind was the go-to attack, but a genuine striker – either a poacher like Jeremy Brockie or speedster like Phakamani Mahlambi – was also used. A 4-2-3-1 is the default.

The coach also set up his side up in a 4-2-2-2 at times though with two narrow number tens and two players visibly higher up the pitch to lead counter attacks. The use of a winger is also seen on occasions with Anthony Laffor in the squad for that purpose, whilst Thapelo Morena as a defensive winger was a regular sight when facing attacking opposition left-backs.

The latter even played upfront at times for his sheer pace on the counter-attack. Old-school, one-dimensional wingers like Aubrey Ngoma have struggled for minutes as they are not comfortable playing centrally.

Sundowns look to play out from the back, with slow, patient possession. They aim to get Hlompho Kekana facing forward with the ball to hit killer passes or switch the play.

If opponents defend deep, they risk opening up space in front of their back four between-the-lines. If you defend high up the pitch, you may compress the space to protect in midfield but you expose yourself to runs behind your defence. You’re in trouble either way.

For the most part, Sundowns have used touchline-hugging wingers only occasionally in recent seasons. Narrow inside forwards like Gaston Sirino and Themba Zwane are usually seen in the half-spaces, with attacking fullbacks used to stretch play.

Tebogo Langerman (or Lyle Lakay) at left-back and Morena at right-back are converted wingers and absolutely ideal for his role, whilst Mosimane can also call on aerially-strong, defend-first fullbacks like Anele Ngcongca on the right and Mosa Lebusa on the left. The latter only played twice at left-back last season though as he was moved into a central defensive position.

In the screenshot below, the very advanced positions of Langerman and Morena are seen. In possession, they are effectively wingers, with three narrow attacking midfielders between-the-lines.

The addition of Affonso, a 6’3″ left-footed target man, has been done by Mosimane in an attempt to return to the famous CBD (Castro-Billiat-Dolly) strategy from the 2015-16 season. The coach said:

“We had a number nine before, Leonardo Castro. He adapted well. I think you remember the CBD. I want to go and try to revisit the same strategy and find out if he can help us. We won the league with 71 points plus 55 goals scored using that system. We won the CAF Champions League, we won the Telkom Knockout Cup.”

On Affonso, he said:

“We don’t have a player of his style and ability. I believe it is important for the Champions League. The important thing is to see how he will fit in the style and the way we play because Sundowns is a complex team. Sundowns can play the whole season without a striker and still play. We brought him as a number nine.”

The forward arrives with a one-in-three scoring record since 2012, but whether the style of play will be adjusted to suit their striker is the biggest question mark. Like Brockie, he will need service from wide areas and Sundowns simply don’t deliver a large volume of crosses. The Kiwi striker had to try to adapt his game to the style of play, rather than any accommodations or compromises being made to exploit his strengths.

Last season, Maboe excelled as the false nine with his movement, high pressing and runs in-behind. The CBD, though, scored 26 and assisted 18 goals between them in that famous season and if Affonso can be a good focal point, then Zwane, Sirino, Vilakazi, Tade and Maboe could continue to impress in support. If he fails to fit into the style of play, then Maboe could simply remain as the false nine with Affonso having to make do with outings from the bench or in away CAF Champions League matches where Sundowns tend to play conservatively.

In the screenshot below, Sundowns score a goal against a high defensive line. With players like Hlompho Kekana, Ricardo Nascimento and Tebogo Langerman all proficient at playing long passes, they can find runs from Maboe or Sirino in-behind defences.

Sundowns possess fantastic depth in all departments and a vast number of versatile players who can cover several roles depending on the tactics required. There is still talk of new signings arriving before the transfer window closes with Tokelo Rantie (forward) and Sammy Seabi (defensive midfielder) both linked.

Sundowns are a fantastic team tactically, who play out from the back well, have numerous players in deep areas who can hit penetrative passes, a plethora of talented number tens to exploit space in front of the defence, and an outstanding goalkeeper in Denis Onyango to claim crosses and high balls.

They are very difficult to beat, and the few teams who have had success have looked to limit Kekana’s influence and therefore the supply to Zwane and Sirino – the latter assisted more than 20 goals last season in all competitions.

Mosimane’s intention to try to use a genuine striker this season appears to be a reaction to his side netting just 40 league goals and failing to score in their CAF Champions League semi-final home leg against Wydad Casablanca.

Whether it will work is the key tactical question ahead of next season. Sundowns’ tactics are predictable, but the players at their disposal are creative and inventive. Knowing what a team will do does not mean you will be able to stop them.

Mamelodi Sundowns vs Supersport United (Saturday 3 August – 15:00)

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