Rulani Mokwena, the manager of Mamelodi Sundowns, has candidly confessed to the enduring sadness he feels about last season’s CAF Champions League, where the club exited in the semi-finals despite an undefeated run. As the South African club has already secured a spot in this season’s quarter-finals, Mokwena remains steadfast in his quest to clinch the coveted continental trophy.
Despite a remarkable performance in the previous edition, Mamelodi Sundowns faced an unexpected elimination in the semi-finals against Wydad Casablanca, falling victim to the away goals rule after a 0-0 draw in Morocco and a 2-2 draw in South Africa.
Mokwena expressed his lingering disappointment in a recent interview with the Mamelodi Sundowns fans vlog.
“I still feel the pain of going out undefeated in the previous edition of the tournament. I can’t get over it because I don’t think we deserved to leave the tournament.
Our results have been excellent. Our performance was excellent. We beat the champion (Al Ahly) 5-2 and many other teams,” Mokwena revealed.
Reflecting on the two matches against Wydad, Mokwena expressed his belief that the away goals rule worked unfairly against them.
He highlighted the team’s unfortunate moments and the lack of luck in crucial opportunities, emphasizing the trauma of the defeat still haunts him.
As Mamelodi Sundowns navigates the current group stage with three wins, one draw, and one defeat, the club has already secured a place in the quarter-finals.
The primary objective remains winning the title, with Mokwena acknowledging that a championship this season could serve as a healing balm for the wounds of the past.
“I admit that I have not recovered from this affair, but the only thing that will compensate for this pain is to win the title this season. It is not an easy affair because you are competing with strong clubs, but we have all the potential to fight until the end,” concluded Mokwena, underlining the determination of the team to overcome the heartbreak and emerge victorious in the current campaign.
