Mamelodi Sundowns striker Peter Shalulile has opened up about his recent dry spell which was a major talking point towards the end of the season giving credit to his teammates and coaches for their unwavering support.
Shalulile was a subject of criticism heading to the conclusion of the 2023/2024 season when he went several matches without finding the back of the net for the Brazilians but managed to get his groove back a few matches before the curtain was brought down on the season.
The 30-year-old finished his 2023/24 season with nine league goals. He regained his form at the right time as his side will be battling Orlando Pirates in the Nedbank Cup final at Mbombela Stadium on June 1.
With Pirates having Tshegofatso Mabasa who won this year’s Golden Boot award by netting 16 DStv Premiership goals, Masandawana will need all their strikers at their best to stand a chance of lifting the Ke Yona Cup.
Speaking on his dip in form, the Namibian mentioned that things do not always go as planned, adding that the support of his colleagues and coaches was instrumental in him turning the situation around in a short space of time.
“As a striker, and as a person in life, life cannot always be good, there are down moments. You know that everything can’t happen in your favour. When things don’t go your way, it’s how you pick yourself that matters. They (players and coaches) never gave up on me. But not everything always goes your way. There are always lessons, and I have learnt that I can’t do it alone and even at home, in our personal lives.
“My teammates and coach never gave up on me and all you need to do is to go back to the drawing board and eventually the breakthrough will come. And you see the form coming at the end of the season, which is not my plan but God’s plan,” said Shalulile.
The former Highlands Park striker also touched on facing off against this season’s top goal scorer Mabasa who was instrumental in the Buccaneers’ second-place finish and reaching the Cup final.
“Knowing that there are good strikers at Orlando Pirates, it’s a good thing. It’s now competitive, we just don’t want the same person winning the same thing. We need to push and make sure we do it right. He [Tshegofatso Mabasa] is a good striker but as you know, the ball is round, on a particular day, we will see who takes the chances,” Shalulile concluded.
Written by Siphesihle Soni.