Rulani Mokwena reacts to penalty awarded to Pirates in Nedbank Cup final

Mamelodi Sundowns coach Rulani Mokwena has had his say on the penalty kick that was awarded to Orlando Pirates in the Nedbank Cup final on Saturday at a sold-out Mbombela Stadium.

Mokwena and his troops, accompanied by their passionate fans, experienced heartbreak as Pirates staged a comeback from a goal down to secure a thrilling 2-1 victory, successfully defending their title.

The entertainment encounter was not short of controversy as both sides were awarded penalty kicks in each half. 

Sundowns were the ones to get rewarded a spot kick as early as the sixth minute after a foul on defender Khuliso Mudau inside the 18-area box by Deon Hotto. But Sipho Chaine saved the spot kick from Ribeiro Costa. 

But Sundowns went to score the opening goal through Themba Zwane in the 54th minute. However, the moment that sparked debate came on during the 69th. minute. This is after what looked like a 50/50 challenge between Aubrey Modiba and Patrick Maswanganyi inside the box.

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Match referee Skhumbuzo Gasa awarded the penalty, which Maswanganyi converted to level the score. Pirates young sensation Relebohile Mofokeng netted the winner during the referee’s optional time to give the Buccaneers their second trophy of the 2023/24 season. 

WHAT RULANI MOKWENA SAYS ABOUT THE PENALTY KICK AWARDED TO ORLANDO PIRATES 

But Mokwena had a different perspective on the penalty awarded to his rivals. 

“I just saw the penalty they got given; I thought Tito actually fouls  Aubrey Modiba, to be honest,” said Mokwena. 

“I watched again and again, and I thought it was actually a foul for Sundowns. It’s going to sound like excuses, but I watched the penalty that they got. Tito is not even looking at the ball, and he moves his back and slides into Modiba.

“Modiba could have done a bit better and anticipated a little bit better in that situation because if you read the body language of Maswanganyi, it’s not even to go to the situation and compete for the duel.

But it’s football, these kind of things happen and you lose games with these things that happen. So it’s very difficult but it is what it is.”

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