Mokwena proud of Sundowns, confirms Sirino apology

Despite their gallant effort to come back from two goals down to force their Carling Knockout last 16 tie against TS Galaxy into extra-time, Mamelodi Sundowns lost 5-4 on penalties at Mbombela Stadium on Wednesday.

ALSO READ: Sundowns pay the penalty for missing players as they exit Carling Knockout

It was on a night where the odds were heavily stacked against DStv Premiership champions who were missing the bulk of their regulars who were still not back from international duty.

Although, The Brazilians head coach Rulani Mokwena gave credit to the Rockets who dumped them out of the cup competition, he was understandably not pleased with having to play with a depleted team.

“Let me start by congratulating the opposition TS Galaxy and their coach (Sead Ramovic) for making it to the next round,” Mokwena said before bemoaning the fact that he missed seven of his Bafana Bafana players.

“Let me also congratulate my players for an incredible comeback, they showed good integrity and kept fighting. We are very proud of them and for sure it counts for nothing because at the end of the day, we are out on penalties once again but we have to move on.

“Which team gets to play a day after the national team played and has five players in the starting line-up? We are the first team to do that but no one will care. The blame will be on the coach but that’s the job I chose and that’s the responsibility I will take.”

Want-away midfielder Gaston Sirino was back in the mix and rescued the game for Sundowns with a late goal in the thrilling 2-2 draw. It was not to be as the Tshwane-based side exited the knockout cup at the first hurdle after Brian Onyango and Lesiba Nku missed their spot kicks.

“Life rewards you when you do good, the club did good by accepting his (Sirino) apology and the player also did good by apologising and recognising his wrongs,” Mokwena said about Sirino who has kissed and made up with the club after handing in a transfer request before the season started.

“That’s how God and the universe works, when you do good, you get rewarded. He showed great resilience, positivity and a good attitude to help the team.”

ALSO READ: Galaxy dedicate cup win over Sundowns to injured Parker

The 36-year-old coach also wished Galaxy forward Bernard Parker well after he broke his leg from a Bongani Zungu challenge. 

“I can only wish Bernard Parker a speedy recovery and I hope it’s not as serious as it looks,” he concluded.

“Knowing Bongani, I know he’s not malicious. There was no malicious intent to it, the only thing that I can do is to wish Parker a speedy recovery.”