It would have taken a decisive own goal for Mamelodi Sundowns defender Mothobi Mvala to feel his coach Rulani Mokwena’s ‘touch’ of class on Saturday.
Just seven minutes away from a CAF Champions League final berth, Mvala turned the ball into his own net.
The clock at Loftus Versfeld Stadium read 83,07 minutes when he mistakenly headed a Wydad Casablanca free-kick past Ronwen Williams.
At that point, Mamelodi Sundowns were leading 2-1 after Themba Zwane and Peter Shalulile’s second-half strikes.
THE CURSE OF THE KNOCKOUT STAGE
There was a glimmer of hope across the Loftus Stadium stands that the curse of the knockout stage had been snapped.
The Brazilians just needed to hold on a little to meet an Al Ahly side they pummelled 5-2 in the group stages.
But that was not to be. The burden of failing to proceed to the final AGAIN was all on Mvala’s shoulders.
Unfortunately, for whatever reasons, ‘Lord Mvala’ is that one player who has had to prove his worth repeatedly.
The look on his face after scoring the own goal told a whole tale. The man from Theunissen in the Free State was downcast, downhearted and hopeless.
Understandably so, the goal meant Wydad Athletic Club – the defending African champions – were on course to progress to the final after two away goals.
Having played a goalless draw in Casablanca last weekend, a 2-2 draw was enough to send them to the final.
RULANI MOKWENA’S TOUCH OF CLASS
Walking towards his coach after the final whistle, he had no idea what he would say. Neither did his coach know what he had to say to his trusted defender.
But something had to be done. And the 36-year-old Sundowns head coach somewhat had an idea.
“What did I say to Mothobi, if anything? In moments like this, there are two things,” explained Rulani Mokwena when asked what he told Mvala.
“One, they say, those that don’t make mistakes are those that probably are not doing anything.
“Two, I don’t think he is prepared to listen to the coach at the moment,”
Nonetheless, the 28-year-old midfielder-turned-defender felt the warmth of his coach’s love. The Bafana Bafana player would have been reassured by that ‘touch’ of class in defeat.
“He felt the coach’s love. I can definitely assure you of that. I gripped the hand firmly, pulled the body a lot closer, and gave him the reassurance that he was not alone.
“That, for me, is probably far more important than any words I could have uttered.”
Perhaps Mokwena needs the same touch from his superiors after a gallant run in this year’s edition.
Sundowns would have bowed out with pride without losing any match in the competition.
Indeed an improved run to last year’s quarterfinal exit as they seek their second star.
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