There are many who probably like the fact that there was an extended transfer window, but Mamelodi Sundowns coach Rulani Mokwena has explained why he is not a fan of it.
The transfer window is set to close on Friday, September 23, with a few clubs looking to make a few final signings before deadline this evening. Sundowns have secured the services of Lucas Costa Ribeiro, Lesiba Nku, Bathusi Aubaas and Thapelo Maseko during the window period.
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Ribeiro, Nku and Maseko were signed before the start of the season, which was important for Mokwena, so that they could be intergrated into the squad. The three were part of Sundowns' tour to the Netherlands during pre-season, while Aubaas joined just before the start of the new campaign, when Sundowns were back in the country.
While there have been talks of Sundowns possibly signing a player before the close of the window, Mokwena has explained why he has an issue with the extended transfer window period.
"Do I like the games being played and the transfer window being opened? To be honest, no. And I tell the players also that my feeling is that the season only starts when the transfer window closes, especially for the big clubs. Number one, whenever you play against some of the teams, there is an artificial level of motivation that is within some of the players and teams, where they also advertise themselves and say 'if I put in a very good performance against Sundowns, there is a possibility that I may be transferred'.
"So, sometimes when Sundowns play against these teams, there is an incredible motivation that is artificialised that you may not necessarily get when the window is closed and they know that they have to be at their club and give their best, without any extra levels of extrinsic motivation. That makes our games difficult during the transfer window. Also, within your own squad, you've got players who don't always train so well because they are also looking and saying 'if the coach does not play me, then I speak to my agent and I ask maybe if I can move to club A, B or C'.
"But if the window is closed, they know that they are here up until the next window, so 'I've either got to fight for my place and give the best that I can or I sit outside and I don't play'," Mokwena told media during a press conference held at the Premier Soccer League offices on Thursday afternoon.
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"So, instead of them having another option, which is sometimes the easy way out, they have only one option. Once the window is closed, I will tell them that I am very happy that it's closed because everybody who is here, is here. And everybody who is here not only has the responsibility to be competing for a position, but to help each other get better. That's just my perspective when it comes to the transfer window."
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