Michel was in Mzansi for the moola

Henri Michel was here for the money and he got away with it, Mamelodi Sundowns was known for their passing, carpet football, biano and shoe shine. The team won so many trophies using the same style, but the former Sundowns coach wanted to teach the players a new different roles.

Maybe the organizational culture and vision was not clearly outlined to the French speaking Michel. His philosophy was just way different to that of Sundown culture.

The coach played a very frustrating system for the supporters and by the look of thing, Sundowns players could not understand as it was evident that they were lost, the new trick to the old carpet football dogs was just a mission impossible.

Players were shuffled, Sundowns wingers (Dillon Shepherd, Josta Dladla and Mpho Tshabangu) were sold to other team (management fault). Player were played at the wrong positions Vuyo Mere was playing as a left wing leaving the natural left footed defender on the bench. Koketso “Keksmaan” Mmotong was left on the sidelines even though the team needed a right winger.

Soccer players are not robots, they cannot be moved around in all the direction and expect them to do well. So the couches should make use of that phrase (you can’t teach an old dog new tricks) or they will simply get fired. I have never seen a defensive Sudowns in the history of the team.

Professionalism
Some of you will argue and use “professional” as an excuse to punish the players. Yes they are professional but they cannot operate like robots, I mean if a player is defending today and next game is a target man means there is a problem within the coaching department, its either too arrogant or has no respect for the players.

On the same note of professionalism: PSL soccer players are all pros and should act as pros. My friend received an inbox message from Mogogi Gagonamong! The Botswana international was telling him not to write nonsense on his facebook wall, this happened after Santos got a soccer lesson from Sundowns.

I believe that he is a great defender for Santos. Ok the argument started when my friend said Surprise Moriri was better that him on that day because he even scored the goal. This did not go down well with Mogogi who wrote a message to my friend, its pity some of the things that he said are not printable.

My take on this is that this guy must take critics like a professional if he claims to be one. You can be good but not all of us will praise you. Players must learn to take critics in positively and build themselves from there but if you entertain such critics its shows how professional you are it raises questions if you really deserve to play for a professional team.

I hope he reads this and start acting like a professional.

Nito (Diskioff writer)
nito.diskioff@gmail.com