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Rulani: Why Did We Even Go To Penalties

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Mamelodi Sundowns head coach Rulani Mokwena after his side's win over Young Africans SC in the CAF Champions League match at Loftus Versfeld Stadium on 5 April 2024 in Pretoria, South Africa.
Mamelodi Sundowns head coach Rulani Mokwena after his side's win over Young Africans SC in the CAF Champions League match at Loftus Versfeld Stadium on 5 April 2024 in Pretoria, South Africa.
Photo by Gallo Images

Mamelodi Sundowns coach Rulani Mokwena felt his side should have been 4-0 up in the first 15 minutes against the University of Pretoria in the Nedbank Cup.

The Brazilians needed a penalty shoot-out to overcome AmaTuks and book their spot in the semi-finals on Friday night.

However, the visitors could have avoided extra-time and penalties had they not squandered their earlier chances.

Read: Williams' Penalty Heroics Inspires Downs To Nedbank Cup Semis

"It was like going to the dentist, so difficult they play one-on-one, they load the box, throw-ins, lateral free-kicks, goal-kicks, everything is in the box, so tough. But why did we even go to penalties in this game?" Mokwena told SuperSport after the game.

"I mean first 15 minutes should be 3-0, 4-0 and then we even had more chances in the second half and we were a little bit unlucky also with [Thembinkosi] Lorch's last-minute chance but I'm happy for the boys, happy for the team, congratulations Mamelodi Sundowns.

"Commiserations to Tuks, they've had a good run in the competition and they are a very difficult team, so difficult to play against, wish them everything of the best for the rest of the season," he said.

Mokwena opened up on why it was a tough game for the DStv Premiership leaders to control.

"It's so difficult, it's a cup game number one, so difficult to control and then it's a team that play so open, so stretched, the long balls stretch you also but okay good, the most important thing is that we're in the semi-finals, one stage better than last season, so very proud of the players," he added.

"We took a lot of risks even with our subs. We took off (Aubrey) Modiba, we took off Grant (Kekana) also, we put on a lot of offensive players, so we went for it. No one can say we didn't go for it and we tried and I'm just very proud of the players, happy for the supporters and the football club."

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