Nedbank Cup Final: Rulani Mokwena Couldn’t Explain How Mamelodi Sundowns Lost to Orlando Pirates

Nedbank Cup Final: Rulani Mokwena Couldn’t Explain How Mamelodi Sundowns Lost to Orlando Pirates

Raphael Abiola
updated at June 1, 2024 at 5:11 PM
In this article:
Mamelodi Sundowns logo
Mamelodi Sundowns
South Africa
21
Orlando Pirates logo
Orlando Pirates
South Africa
36
South Africa Premier League Cup logo
ZA Premier League Cup
South Africa
  • Rulani Mokwena has commented on Mamelodi Sundowns' loss to Orlando Pirates in the Nedbank Cup final at the Mbombela Stadium
  • A late goal from second-half substitute Relebohile Mofokeng gave the Buccaneers the deserved win over the Brazilians on Saturday
  • The South African tactician claimed his team were the better side and was unlucky to have lost the match to a late goal

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Mamelodi Sundowns manager Rulani Mokwena couldn't put words together to explain why his team lost to Orlando Pirates in the Nedbank Cup final on Saturday.

The Brazilians suffered a 94th-minute goal from Relebohile Mofokeng, losing 2-1 against the Buccaneers at the Mbombela Stadium.

Themba Zwane gave Sundowns the lead in the 54th minute, but the Bucs levelled the score through Patrick Maswanganyi's penalty before Mofokeng stole the show with a late goal to win the tie.

Rulani Mokwena laments over Mamelodi Sundowns' loss to Orlando Pirates in the Nedbank Cup final on Saturday, June 1, 2024. Photo: Phill Magakoe.
Rulani Mokwena laments over Mamelodi Sundowns' loss to Orlando Pirates in the Nedbank Cup final on Saturday, June 1, 2024. Photo: Phill Magakoe.
Source: Getty Images

In an interview after the game, as per iDiskitTimes, Mokwena was surprised that his team lost the game despite being the better side.

"I still don't know what happened; I honestly don't know what happened here," he said.
"Football can be very cruel, can it!? We miss a penalty, they get a penalty, they score, they equalise, but we dominate the game, I mean.
"Then there is this free-kick that I don't even think should be going that way. But ok, that's what the cup finals are all about. Congratulations to the Pirates. We take the lesson, and we move on."

The Brazilians will switch their focus to next season as they hope to retain the DStv Premiership title, and also bring back the CAF Champions League to South Africa.

Mokwena still hurt by Champions League exit

Sports Brief reported that Mokwena was still hurt by Sundowns' defeat in the CAF Champions League at the hands of Esperance.

He stated that claiming the treble this season would not make up for the disappointment of exiting the tournament in the semi-finals.

He believes that adding another trophy to the team's collection will not erase the pain of their loss on the continental stage.

Authors
Raphael Abiola photo
Raphael Abiola
Raphael Abiola is a Nigerian Sports Journalist with over five years of experience. He obtained a B.Tech degree in Computer Science from the Federal University of Technology, Akure, in 2015.