Orlando Pirates

Rulani: We Feel The Supporters' Pain

85 Aug 24, 2019 - 11:52 pm

By Soccer Laduma

Orlando Pirates interim coach Rulani Mokwena insists they feel the same pain as the supporters following the club's CAF Champions League exit.

Read: Pirates' CAF Campaign Ended By Debutants

Bucs were knocked out by Zambia’s Green Eagles after failing to overturn a 1-0 first-leg defeat away, managing a 1-1 outcome only in the return leg.

The result stretched their winless in all competitions to five matches since their opening day success over Bloemfontein Celtic in the Absa Premiership.

“The Buccaneers, we suffer with them, we bleed the same blood," Mokwena told SuperSport after the game.

"We’re not happy with the result as well, but every team has to go through what we’re going through.

"It’s like training any sort of muscle, once you go through it, you’re stronger and able to withstand whatever difficulties that mate come your way. We have to take it. We have to be strong and stick together,” he said.

Mokwena insists the players gave their all on the day, but feels the first leg defeat had a big effect on the overall result.

“If you play the way we played, not just from the tactical perspective but also emotionally, to get the players to go to another gear and the players responded.

“In the second half they put a lot of effort, they really poured their heart and soul. We were unfortunate, I think also we lost it away when we lost 1-0.

“But that’s how the cookie crumbles. It’s Murphy’s law at the at the moment. Everything that could go wrong goes wrong you know," he added.