“Feeling robbed is something every coach understands,said” Rulani after sundown’s and young African cat game.
Rulani Mokwena, Mamelodi Sundowns‘ head coach, sympathised with Young Africans after the Tanzanian giants were controversially eliminated from the CAF Champions League.
After Yanga was denied a goal, a questionable VAR ruling sparked a heated debate among football fans. Sundowns won the quarter-final match in a penalty shootout at Loftus Stadium. However, the excitement was short-lived when Young Africans coach Miguel Gamondi accused the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) of robbing his team.
He vented his dissatisfaction during a furious press conference, claiming that Aziz Ki’s goal effort was incorrectly rejected since the VAR judged that it did not cross the line.
Rulani Mokwena chose to use diplomatic caution and did not pass judgement on the contentious call.
“I can empathise with him; feeling robbed is something that every coach understands,” he remarked after the game.
“However, I prefer to focus on commending our opponents rather than delving into that discourse.”
He went on to say, “There were several other incidents, such as the potential penalty for Divine Lunga’s elbow inside the box.”
I try not to think about such things; perhaps if we had lost, my perspective might have changed.
“Yet, let me extend grace and respect in victory, acknowledging them as worthy adversaries, both at home and away,” he said.
Gamondi thought his squad was robbed, and the club filed a’match-fixing’ complaint with CAF.
“Is there anyone in this room who can tell me it wasn’t a goal?”
Someone must explain to me why the referee did not go to (VAR) to check for himself, but instead wants to know whether there is a yellow or red card.
“Rulani Mokwena and Mamelodi Sundowns have yet to comment on Yanga’s protest.