Mamelodi Sundowns Coach Rhulani Mokwena Apologizes for Nedbank Cup Final Loss

Mamelodi Sundowns head coach Rhulani Mokwena expressed disappointment and issued an apology to the club's supporters and board after his team lost the Nedbank Cup final to Orlando Pirates on June 1, 2024. The match, held at Mbombela Stadium in Nelspruit, ended in a 2-1 loss for Sundowns, with the winning goal scored in the dying moments of the game.

In a post-match press conference, Mokwena took full responsibility for the loss and acknowledged the pain felt by the fans. He stated, "I apologize to our fans and the entire Mamelodi Sundowns family for not bringing home the Nedbank Cup title." Mokwena emphasized that his team had no business losing the final, reflecting on the opportunities missed during the match.

Orlando Pirates secured their victory with a dramatic winner from Relebohile Mofokeng in the 93rd minute. The match seemed destined for extra time until Mofokeng's decisive goal. Themba Zwane had initially put Sundowns ahead, but Pirates responded with goals from Patrick Maswanganyi and Mofokeng.

Mokwena reflected on the match, expressing his frustration with the outcome. "We dominated the game, I mean, then there's that free kick. I don't even think it should happen like that, but hey, that's what cup finals are for, so congratulations to the Pirates, we take the lesson and move on." Despite the loss, he praised his players' efforts and noted that injuries had plagued the team throughout the season.

One significant injury during the match was to Khuliso Mudau, who suffered a shoulder injury in the first half. Mokwena mentioned Mudau's injury but refused to use it as an excuse for the defeat, stating, "Well, it's wear and tear, it's been a long season, a lot of games but hey... I mean, I honestly don't know how we lost that game and I don't want to use injuries as an excuse, because we should have won the match."

The defeat marks a disappointing end to the season for Mamelodi Sundowns, who had high hopes of clinching the Nedbank Cup title. Mokwena's apology and reflections highlight the unpredictable nature of football and the fine margins that can determine the outcome of pivotal matches.

The team looks ahead to the next season, Mokwena has vowed to learn from this experience and work harder to bring success to Mamelodi Sundowns. The club's supporters will undoubtedly be hoping for a stronger performance in future competitions.

Key Takeaways

• Mamelodi Sundowns lost the Nedbank Cup final to Orlando Pirates 2-1.
• Coach Rhulani Mokwena apologized to fans and the board for the loss.
• Mokwena took full responsibility for the defeat and praised his players' efforts.
• Injuries plagued the team throughout the season, including Khuliso Mudau's shoulder injury.
• Mokwena vowed to learn from the experience and work harder for future success.