Mamelodi Sundowns co-coach Rhulani Mokwena has praised Cape Town City FC for being tough opponents after the Brazilians won their first MTN8 title.
Thapelo Morena had given Sundowns the lead in the first half, before Fagrie Lakay restored parity for the Citizens shortly after the hour mark, as the match went to extra-time.
After regulation time, it was in the dreadful penalty shoot-out where Denis Onyango made five saves to prove the difference between the two sides in the end.
“Don’t we love to make it difficult. But credit to Cape Town City, they are a very very good side. They keep fighting and you’ve seen throughout the season that the games are never over until they’re over for them. They’ve always got the possibilities of scoring,” Mokwena told SuperSport TV.
“When you leave the game open for so long and you create so many chances and you don’t put them to bed that becomes lesson number one. Lesson number two we are not a very good side without the ball. In certain moments in the second half, we were very naive and didn’t look after the ball. And they are a very god side when they have possession. Credit to City, they’re a top side with good players. It was not easy.
“When you keep missing chance, I mean that chance when Thapelo had one on one you’re hoping that goes in. We got situations where if we make a better pass then it’s a better situation to score. When you miss these chances the emotional attachment to the game drops.
“When you beat worthy opponents like this it feels a lot sweeter.
“The shoot-out was difficult. Congrats to the team. We’ve delivered the one that’s been missing from the cabinet and now we focus on the lessons we take out. It’s a long season ahead. We have a very difficult game on Wednesday. For now, recover, recoup and travel back to Johannesburg and fight for three points on Wednesday.”