MTN8: Rulani Mokwena Reacts After Mamelodi Sundown’s Loss to Orlando Pirates

• Rulani Mokwena has congratulated Orlando Pirates for defending their MTN8 title on Saturday night
• It was a fight to finish at the Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban, but the game had to be decided on penalties
• Mokwena insisted that his side deserved a penalty in the course of the highly entertaining encounter

The head coach of Mamelodi Sundowns, Rulani Mokwena, has reacted to his side’s loss to rivals Orlando Pirates in an epic MTN8 final on Saturday night.

Mokwena watched from the sidelines as his side missed several chances during the encounter, as it was eventually decided via a penalty shootout.

His side were denied two penalties during the game as Pirates defender Bandile Shandu seemed to have handled the ball in the danger area in the second half, but the match official waved play on.

In the second minute of extra time, Sipho Chaine seemed to have brought down Teboho Mokoena in the danger area, but the referee ignored.

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Football

The encounter then went into a penalty shootout with Pirates number one goalie Chaine saving three spot-kicks to win it for his side 4-1.

After the game, Sundowns coach Mokwena congratulated the champions but maintained that his side deserved a penalty.

He said on SABC 1 via iDiskiTimes:

“That’s football. If you leave it to penalties, it’s lottery. Congratulations to Orlando Pirates for winning it,”

“Still very proud of player, we struggled, we’ve had so many issues. But the boys gave it their all. Peter played with an injury, and in the end he couldn’t go any longer.

“But commiserations to Sundowns, congratulations to Pirates. We are not sore losers…

“Difficult… There is a penalty that we didn’t get, there is a clear penalty. But let’s not go there. It’s sour grapes, isn’t it?”

Sundowns drawn in tough CAF Champions League group

Sports Brief earlier reported the draws for the CAF Champions League and CAF Confederation Cup have been concluded, with Mamelodi Sundowns being handed a challenging task.

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Football

Sundowns will face an Egyptian side in Pyramids FC, TP Mazembe from Congo, and FC Nouadhibou from Mauritania.

The Brazilians have only won the continental title once but are looking to end their seven-year wait for another title.