Mamelodi Sundowns coach Rulani Mokwena described his clash with AmaZulu technical staff during the first half of their 1-0 victory over Usuthu in the DStv Premiership match at King Zwelithini Stadium on Wednesday as “handbags”, adding those things don’t matter.
Masandawana beat AmaZulu 1-0 to collect their record-extending 10th successive win of the season, but there was an incident in the first half when Mokwena was seen clashing with AmaZulu assistant Aitor Van De Brulle.
“It’s not important. Those things, we spoke about it,” explained Mokwena at the press conference.
“He is a gentleman [Van de Brulle), he apologised, so it’s done, it’s finished. No comment.”
Usuthu felt an injustice, as they were denied on what appeared to be a goal scored by Hendrick Ekstein in the 65th minute at the far post from close range, but he was flagged offside though it looked very close.
Mokwena revealed that his side, especially in the second half, rode their luck a bit, as Usuthu came strong, with Sundowns players appearing to be tired.
“For sure, they are a good team,” said Mokwena when asked if they rode the luck a bit at the end.
“Make no mistake, we beat a very good team. But that’s what champions have to do, they have got to win even under difficult circumstances and that is what we did today.
“We beat a good team. We now won 10 games in a row. We are very happy with where we are and the mentality that we have. We have, sometimes, to grind out the results – it’s not always going to be pretty and it’s tough, it’s difficult for these group of players.
“To travel the way we are traveling, to play the number of games that we are playing, to have the mentality to bounce back after a difficult trip to Congo (where Sundowns lost 1-0 to TP Mazembe) and to come back and play against a team that also wants to beat you, it motivated to beat you, it’s not easy.
“I’m very proud of this group of players – the mentality, the spirit, and the attitude are fantastic and we will continue this way with our mentality and with this attitude that also says we never give up. We keep trying, we keep trying to give the best that we can.”
During this time last year after 10 games played, Sundowns had won seven, lost two, and drew one but they were still at the top table – something they are accustomed to now. Unlike last season, it appears the DStv Premiership title will be wrapped up sooner than it was in the past.
Sundowns’ punishing schedule continues unabating, as they host Fagrie Lakay’s Pyramids in their CAF Champions League group at Loftus Stadium on Sunday (15:00).
