Denis Onyango of Mamelodi Sundowns reacts after failing to stop a free kick from Teboho Mokoena of Supersport United during the DStv Premiership 2021/22 match between Mamelodi Sundowns and Supersport United at Loftus Versfeld Stadium, Pretoria on 24 November 2021 ©Samuel Shivambu/BackpagePix
Rhulani Mokwena doesn’t blame Denis Onyango for red card
Rhulani Mokwena says that the team will look at the scenario that led to Denis Onyango’s red card against Sekhukhune United.
Denis Onyango of Mamelodi Sundowns reacts after failing to stop a free kick from Teboho Mokoena of Supersport United during the DStv Premiership 2021/22 match between Mamelodi Sundowns and Supersport United at Loftus Versfeld Stadium, Pretoria on 24 November 2021 ©Samuel Shivambu/BackpagePix
Mamelodi Sundowns co-coach Rhulani Mokwena says that the team will look at the scenario that led to Denis Onyango’s red card against Sekhukhune United and try to eliminate those errors from their game.
Mokwena believes that a string of errors led to Onyango being put in a position to either commit a foul or concede a goal.
Mokwena pegs team for red card
The previously rock-solid Ugandan goalkeeper now appears to be in the midst of a crisis of confidence having endured a nightmare performance in the 2-2 draw with SuperSport in midweek before receiving his marching orders.
“These things happen in football. Denis will remain Denis. It’s important for him to check and analyse. I always say to people that there’s five mistakes or six mistakes before an actual mistake that we see and at times we only focus on the final product,” Mokwena told SuperSport TV.
“There was a build-up of elements and even in that moment, there was a back pass. We tried to get the back pass of Grant Kekana and we got to the back pass of Mosa (Lebusa). Before Kekana passed to Mosa, Mosa was trying to pass to a striker. He then had to react a bit because he was under pressure. This is the price that we pay for being a side that plays from the back and a team that builds situations from the back. We have to cut out the mistakes because we have to get to the level where we are competing for the CAF Champions League,” said Mokwena.
Supersport
The late red card to Onyango couldn’t stop Sundowns cruising to a 2-0 win with man of the match Khuliso Mudau crediting the coaching staff with motivating the players to bag three points.
“We needed these three points, we’ve been doing very well, unfortunately we played two games that we were drawing,” Mudau told SuperSport after the game.
“We needed this win as the coaches were telling us we need to work hard, make sure we get the three points.
“Ja it was a great performance from me, I really want to thank the technical team, the coaches. They are doing a great job to make sure we’re doing a great job as well, as players.”
