Mamelodi Sundowns head coach Rulani Mokwena has explained why he opted against substituting Khuliso Mudau, despite the right-back having issues with his shoulder.
Mokwena, 37, missed out on a historic treble after losing Saturday’s Nedbank Cup final 2-1 with Relebohile Mofokeng scoring the winner in the fourth minute of injury-time.
Mudau picked up an injury early in the match when he was brought down and won a penalty, which Lucas Ribeiro missed.
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After the incident he received treatment on multiple ocasions and was seen taking pain killers, while also indicating that he should come off.
However, Mokwena insisted after the match Mudau stayed on the pitch because the team needed him and he confirmed at half-time that he was good to play on.
“We needed him. We just needed him,” he told reporters.
“I mean he’s an important player, he was playing very well. His dribble is what led to the penalty.
“So we just needed him. And I asked him again at half-time does he think he can continue and he felt he could. So we needed him.”
Mokwena and Sundowns missed out on the treble after winning the African Football League and DStv Premiership title in a gruelling season, with Saturday’s Nedbank Cup final their 57th game of 2023/24.
