Mamelodi Sundowns coach Rulani Mokwena hit back at Tunisian football media, saying they failed to notice his side dominated Esperance on Saturday night. Despite the 1-0 defeat in the semi-finals of the CAF Champions League, Mokwena insisted that the hosts parked the bus.
In his post-match address to the media at a packed 60,000-seat Stade Olympique Hammadi Agrebi in Tunis, Mokwena said his team was tactically superior to Esperance. The coach was visibly angry and he was embroiled in a back-and-forth with a journalist who asked in the post-match press conference if Esperance won the tactical battle.
Mokoena gave an update on Downs’ most important midfielder Teboho Mokoena, who sat the game out after the injury picked up in their 2-2 DStv Premiership draw against Moroka Swallows on Monday.
Mokwena on How Sundowns Dominated Esperance
The Brazilians had chances to equalise and would, of course, have preferred a draw, will be reasonably content with a single-goal defeat that handed a marginal advantage to Esperance but also leaves the tie wide open.
Making matters worse for Sundowns is the fact that they were playing their 46th match this season as they compete across a staggering six competitions while Esperance were playing their 29th. Meanwhile, the Brazilians have midweek games as a distraction too — they meet fourth-placed Sekhukhune United in a league clash at Loftus Versfeld on Tuesday.
“Teboho Mokoena was almost ready but we didn’t want to take that risk because of the schedule we have. But we’ll see how it goes,” the coach said.
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“I thought we were brave on the ball, I thought we defended very well, I thought we suffered together in moments where we had to suffer against a very good team. When I watched the games of Esperance — against Club Africain, Al Hilal, Asec [Mimosas] — I don’t remember a team dominating them here like we did tonight. I don’t agree that tactically Esperance won, no — I fully disagree. In football, there are two very important things. The first is how many chances are you able to create, and who created the most chances today? Mamelodi.”
“Then who defended better — the one who gave less chances or more chances? They conceded more chances than Sundowns. Maybe I’ve got a different perspective of how I analyse football.”
Mokwena Lashes Out at Tunisian Journalist
As one member of the Tunisian media asked Mokwena if his men failed to contain Esperance, Mowkena hit back, saying Sundowns didn’t come to park the bus but the hosts did.
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As a back-and-forth emerged between the coach and the journalist, Mokwena asked why the media didn’t recognise the fact that Masandawana was dominant. Statistics on the website Transfermarkt backed up Mokwena’s assertion, showing Sundowns with 61% possession and seven shots to six, with four to one-off target and one to two on target.
“I would like to ask you guys as the Tunisian media, how many times do you see Esperance parking the bus at home?” reacted the coach.
“And are you guys happy to see one of your biggest clubs in the country playing against Sundowns and parking the bus? If you guys are happy, then OK, there’s no problem from me with that. You can praise Esperance without degrading the performance of Sundowns — it’s possible. I thought it was electrifying, good, vibrant and I think it helped Esperance because in difficult moments they pushed the team. It was the first time I saw Yan Sasse, the Brazilian, tracking back and running all the way — normally he doesn’t do that, so credit to the fans for supporting Esperance.”
The return clash will be staged on Friday night in Tshwane as Sundowns look to reverse the scoreline and reach the final for the first time since 2016.
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