Allende embraces Downs’ MTN8 struggles

MAMELODI Sundowns midfield maestro Marcelo Allende has embraced the club’s impending struggles with the MTN8 competition ahead of their opening match against Polokwane City.

The Brazilians will welcome Rise and Shine to the Lucas Moripe Stadium today (3pm) with hopes of securing a place in the semi-finals of the Wafa-Wafa tournament.

Sundowns have seized dominance in domestic football for over 12 years now, collecting every trophy available on the way to breaking a multitude of statistical and performance-based records as well.

However, among the 18 trophies they’ve won since the 2013/2014 season, the Chloorkop-based outfit has lifted the MTN8 title just once.

The penalty heroics of goalkeeper Dennis Onyango saw Sundowns topple City at the Moses Mabhida Stadium, in the process ending a 14-year wait from the last time they had won the trophy in 2021.

Now under ‘new’ leadership, Allende and co. have been thrust with the challenge of attempting to bring back a trophy that has been hogged by Orlando Pirates in the past two seasons.

The Chilean-born man told the media that he and his teammates have taken on the challenge of winning the MTN8 that has a main prize of R10 million.

“It’s a good question but for us, it’s a cup so every game is difficult, it’s one game and it’s either you’re out or you’re in,” he said.

“We always want to win and I think we will take the responsibility for this cup to win for the team and us. It’s a very good challenge for the team as well as the players.”

Having arrived in 2022, a huge chunk of Allende’s stint at Sundowns has seen departed coach Rulani Mokwena stand in front of him but now the much more reserved figure of Manqoba Mngqithi will issue out battle tactics.

He believes that despite the technical team changes, Mngqithi’s tenure feels like a continuation of what the club has been doing in recent seasons, although with slight tactical adjustments.

“I think it’s not new because he has been with us for a long time,” the 25-year-old Chilean said. “Maybe he is now the boss but I think it’s the same; it’s the same players. Of course, he has different ideas on ball possession or maybe being more direct but it’s the same.”

With the departure of fan-favourite and Uruguayan Gaston Sirino, the club cast their South American net and caught the seemingly versatile Arthur Sales.

Allende has welcomed the arrival of another South American player into the Sundowns camp to partner him and Brazilian Lucas Ribeiro and has already been impressed with what he’s seen from the new Brazilian.

“He’s a good player. He’s Brazilian and you know Brazil have very good players, very quick. And we are happy to have another South American player here.”