‘We should have won, there was one team on the pitch’ – Rulani reflects on cup defeat

Mamelodi Sundowns coach Rulani Mokwena insists his side were the better team despite their 2-1 defeat to Orlando Pirates in the Nedbank Cup final.

Mokwena side took the lead early in the second half but two goals from the Buccaneers saw the Soweto giants defend their Nedbank Cup trophy at the Mbombela stadium on Saturday. This was Masandawana’s second successive final loss to Pirates this season. The Sea Robbers got the better of the Brazilians last year in the MTN8 final at Moses Mabhida Stadium.

Following the 2-1 Nedbank Cup final loss, Rulani said Downs dominated the game.

“I don’t know what happened. Football can be very cruel, I mean we get a penalty and we miss it. They get a penalty and they equalise but we dominated the game,” Mokwena said to SuperSport TV.

“There was a free kick that I didn’t think should have been going that way but it’s okay. This is what cup finals are all about so congratulations to Orlando Pirates and we take the lessons and we move on. It’s wear and tear you know because it’s been a long season but I don’t know how we lost this match. I don’t want to use injuries as an excuse because we should have won the game.

Rulani loses another cup final to Orlando Pirates

“There was only one team on the pitch but anyway it’s football. Lucas Ribeiro is injured and he was clattered into and Sailor (Khuliso Mudau) was clattered into but anyways congratulations to Orlando Pirates. The feeling of this match dampens a little bit the feeling of what I think has been a good season for the club but it’s time to do a bit of introspection and look at myself first and see what happens.”

Rulani Mokwena has lost five of the six cup games this season.