Mamelodi Sundowns registered their first defeat in this year’s instalment of the CAF Champions League after a 1-0 loss against TP Mazembe on Saturday afternoon at Stade TP Mazembe.
The breakthrough that sealed the victory for The Ravens came in the second half, after both sides fought hard to find the back of the net in the first half. Masandawana tried to make things happen throughout the match with the many chances they created, but they could not capitalise on their possession and stun the host team. Coach Rulani Mokwena congratulated the hosts for winning what was a thrilling encounter between two good sides.
“Congratulations to TP Mazembe on the win. Of course, we are not happy to lose the match, especially when you consider the number of chances we created. We had clear cut chances. I remember we hit the crossbar upright three times. There was a very good save in the second half where Peter Shalulile had a one on one with the goalkeeper who made a save with his feet. The type of goal that we conceded is a little bit difficult to stomach but of course what matters at the end of the day are the results. With a lot of grace and humility we accept defeat and congratulate our opponents for winning,” he said.
When asked whether the results surprised him, coach Rulani stated that in football, there are no results that are surprising and the opponents played exactly how he expected them to play. He stated: “I spoke in the preview about TP Mazembe. The same organisational forms with Cheick Fofana on the side and Joel Beya upfront with the second ball crosses in the box were not surprising for us but we lost.”
“In football, you can win, lose or draw, so no result surprises me because when you start the match you either win, lose or draw. Today we lost the game even though I think the team with better chances lost the match. I still need to watch the game, that’s why I can’t say we were the better team but I know we had so many chances and we should have scored,” he continued.
Despite the defeat and the many opportunities missed to score goals, Coach Rulani expressed his pride for his charges and how good of a game they had.
“I love my players. They have already proved that they are the best in the African continent and when they lose, we lose together and the responsibility also lies on the shoulders of the coach. The players gave everything that they had and I’m proud of them. If there is anyone to be blamed for their defeat is me. I have no doubts on my players and hands off,” he concluded.
How we lined up: Williams, Mokoena, Lebusa, B. Onyango, Allende, Mashego, Zwane ©, Ribeiro, Mudau, Morena, Shalulile.
Subs: D. Onyango, Nku, Sirino, Kekana, Mkhulise, Mbule, Seabi, Maema, Maboe.
Favoritism. Is the order of the day…..
I don’t think that team will beat us at Loftus but to my coach and his technical staff pls tell yo players to stop being selfish and pass to the player whose on good position to score and just once let’s practise to shoot accurately outside the box,North African teams are always deadly because of that,its not use to go to the congested box with the ball,pls catch them off guard.
After that scored our backline stop this useless too many backpasses with the goalkeeper we were rushing because really its over elaborated and our coach seems to like it because he doesn’t reprimand them and I still says one day we will pay the price for that,how I wish B.Onyango is the last season with us this time I had enough of him,hope Rhulani yo benchmark team Man.City you saw them today of how to want a win or a goal not this too many backpasses that are not hurting the opponents and I disagree with you when you said it’s a Downs thing since the ages,Downs I knew will get quickly to the opposition box not to obsessed with possession,
If we can stop all the above some teams can get a big hiding from us because we have personnel capable of doing that,pls on Wednesday don’t underestimate aMaZulu because that team can run the whole game,kby forever.
Tough luck yellow nation,it was not our day.We will bounce back in the next game.Let us correct the mistakes made in the previous game and shift focus to the next game.I think if we can manage to win all 1st round league game we would have wrapped up the league and then concentrate more on the champions league.
Yahh…Muzi….now we are the Kings of back passes….not to mention what Rowen…is doing…Mancity drew..but..you could see..them going for the win…..Our team has cruze mode…more after scoring…..I honestly don’t understand why..Mayema comes first to Gaston…..I’ve asked to see…Themba…Riberio…Allende….Sirino…Sniper….together….but…Our marvelous coach….has his own mind…..With this team…I can pass through Amazulu..like hot knife cutting butter….but….who cares to listen….