Mamelodi Sundowns coach Rulani Mokwena responds to Young Africans’ robber talk following their passage to the CAF Champions League semi-finals. Mokwena says he feels for the Yanga coach Miguel Gamondi who alleges that they were robbed in the second leg quarter-final clash.
Sundowns reached the semi-finals of the lucrative competition via penalties after Yanga was denied a goal through VAR. The two sides, Sundowns and Yanga played to a goalless draw at a packed Loftus Versfeld Stadium on Friday night and the match was decided via penalty shoot-outs – Sundowns won 3-2.
Sundowns and Bafana keeper Ronwen Williams saved two penalty kicks while Marcelo Allende, Neo Maema, and Lucas Ribeiro scored for the hosts – but Gaston Sirino’s kick was saved.
Sundowns: Mokwena On Robbery Claims By Yanga Coach
In his post-match reaction, Mokwena said the anger by Gamondi on the Video Assistant Referee, is understandable. Formerly in charge of Sundowns, Gamondi was fuming in his press conference, saying his team got robbed by the VAR.
Per iDiski Times, Mokwena didn’t want to engage in the debate about whether it was a goal or not, pointing towards a contentious non-penalty decision against his side in the first half.
“Yeah, and I can’t find words to appease him, of course, the feeling [of being robbed] like any other coach… I would rather on my side be extremely complimentary of the opposition instead of taking that direction,” Mokwena said after the match. Because there was a lot of other situations, like the elbow and Divine Lunga inside the box and that could have been a penalty.”
“So I don’t want to talk about those things, maybe if I had lost maybe I would also take that direction. But let me be gracious and respectful in victory and say that they were worthy opponents, a good side, and when we enjoyed playing against both home and away.”
Sundowns vs Yanga: Gamondi Cries Foul On Robbery Through VAR
The Argentine mentor alleged that his men were robbed as their goal was disallowed and everybody saw what happened.
“I don’t want to talk anymore because I think everybody saw what happened here. Is there somebody here in this room who can tell me it was not a goal? Somebody must explain to me why the referee didn’t go to (VAR) to check for himself, but he wants to check if there is a yellow card or red card,” said a visibly infuriated Gamondi.
“It is suspicious at least, if you want to defend the credibility of African football, it starts from that. Win the game and there is no problem, but win it clear. I think today the people who were in the VAR stole the pride of the people of Tanzania. More than 30 million people of Tanzania felt they were robbed. I invite somebody who could say I am wrong and it was not a goal. Is there somebody who can argue with me?”
“I don’t accept any question because it was not a game, it was a clear robbery. If the people of Sundowns are happy it is OK, but football is not like that. We are talking FIFA fair play. This was the second time I was robbed and it is painful, you can say I am not a good coach, but this is painful for football. I am not criticising Sundowns, or South African people, I criticise the people who do this in VAR. The referee can make a bad decision because he is a human being, but why he didn’t go and check for himself.”
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