Bible-quoting Mokwena refuses to blame soldier Mvala

Mamelodi Sundowns coach Rulani Mokwena refuses to blame defender Mothobi Mvala as he turns to Bible quotes.

Mokwena reacts after their 0-0 draw against Petro Luanda where defender Mvala was shown a red card two minutes into the game for a tackle on Petro skipper Trago Leal.

ALSO READ I Mokwena prays for Shalulile & Ribeiro’s return for Ahly

Despite playing with 10 men, Sundowns soldiered on and managed to finish the African Super League contest without conceding.

MOKWENA QUOTES THE BIBLE, REFUSES TO BLAME MVALA

During the match at Loftus Versfeld Stadium, referee Mustapha Ghorbal judged Mvala to have fouled the attacker who had a good scoring opportunity as he had a clear

ALSO READ I ‘Daily Bread’: Sundowns fans share views on Ahly clash

Mokwena has since praised his men for their fight but will face Al Ahly in the semi-finals on Sunday without the services of Mvala.

“I have made far more costly mistakes in my life than Mothobi Mvala. We will analyse and we will speak to him like we do with all the other players,” Mokwena said per TimesLIVE.

“I am sounding like a pastor today but the Bible says, forgive ‘[not] seven times [but] 77 times’. 

ALSO READ I Ex-striker on why Chiefs must identify problems ASAP

“If we genuinely say we love our players, the definition in the Bible of love is that it keeps no account of wrongs. So when I tell you I love my players, I genuinely do. 

“When we make mistakes, we analyse, check, we move on, and try to improve. Mistakes are there like problems because they present opportunities. Not just for growth but for learning, finding solutions, and getting better.” 

SUNDOWNS COACH PROTECTS DEFENDER FROM BLAME

ALSO READ I Al Ahly and Sundowns advance to AFL semi-finals despite home draws

The Masandawana manager, Mokwena also pleaded with people not to judge Mvala for his mistakes. 

Some of the Sundowns fans are not fully behind Mvala, especially after conceding an own goal in the CAF Champions League semi-final match against Wydad Casablanca last season.

“All the other players who play for Mamelodi Sundowns will always get love from me and everybody associated with this football club,” he adds.

“They will never be judged because if we start to judge, then we must be put into a space where we must be judged. 

ALSO READ: MaMkhize found guilty, told to pay R37 million

ALSO READ: Full list – Chiefs appoint 8th coach in 8 years

“How many of us in this room can say we are spotless, clean or don’t have errors?

“We live in a society where we are quick to judge others and we forget how many mistakes we make ourselves. 

“We are quick to judge other people, but exercise a bit of kindness.”

CLICK HERE TO READ MORE ARTICLES BY PHUMZILE NGCATSHE