Mamelodi Sundowns head coach Rulani Mokwena admits Orlando Pirates dominated the game but rated his side’s performance 15 out of 10 for grinding the result.
Pirates had 59% of the ball possession, with 13 shots at goal, 303 passes completed, as compared to the just 219 from Sundowns – a rare sight in the DStv Premiership.
However, Sundowns had two big chances in the game and missed one through Cassius Mailula – while Pirates failed to create one, with eight of their shots at goal yielding only two on target which Ronwen Williams dealt with en route to his 16th clean sheet of the season.
“Difficult game, two good sides, very dominant from Pirates I thought, but I thought we had the better chances also,” Mokwena said.
“Congratulations to Mamelodi Sundowns football club, congratulations to everybody associated to everyone associated with the football club, the yellow nation, very very humbling turnout from them, incredible support – and then congratulations to this fantastic group of players, very proud of them.
He added: “Was it intentional, no, we played a game like a big game is supposed to be played… I was pleasantly surprised by how well we defended, normally we have to have the ball to defend.
“But we defended very well, there were no big chances in open play and we showed we can play difficult games and respond to the situation. I have nothing but incredible respect and appreciation for this group of players.
“If I were to rate [the performance] out of ten, the performance as a whole – I would give them a 15 if it was allowed, I’m very proud of this group, very proud.”
Sundowns now hold a 23 point lead at the summit of the South African top-flight albeit having played two games more than second-placed SuperSport United.
Source Link Rulani Admits Pirates Dominated, Rates Downs Performance
