Rulani Mokwena livid with referee after Sundowns failed to beat 10-man Orlando Pirates

Mamelodi Sundowns’ head coach, Rulani Mokwena, was left disappointed by his team’s lackluster performance in their 1-1 draw against Orlando Pirates on Saturday.

With seven regular players missing from the lineup, the Brazilians struggled to find their rhythm and were held to a stalemate by the 10-man Buccaneers at Loftus Versfeld.

Reflecting on the match, Mokwena expressed his dissatisfaction with his team’s lack of intensity and aggression.

He remarked, “I didn’t like our personality, I can’t relate to it. There was not enough passes, no intensity and not aggressive enough in the duels.”

The coach highlighted the need for more assertiveness and quality in their play to match the standards they have set for themselves.

Despite taking the lead through Marcelo Allende’s goal in the 76th minute, Sundowns were unable to hold on as Thapelo Xoki converted a penalty just four minutes later to level the score.

The match was further marred by Miguel Timm’s sending off in the second half, adding to the tension and ill-temperament of the game.

Mokwena continued to critique his team’s overall performance, stating, “I didn’t like the 90 minutes. I think for a game of football you need three good teams.”

The coach emphasized the importance of maintaining composure and discipline on the field, especially in heated encounters like the one against Pirates.

As Sundowns look to bounce back from this disappointing result, Mokwena will be hoping for a return to form and a reinvigoration of the team’s fighting spirit in their upcoming fixtures.

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