Rulani On CBC Win & Handing Debut To Downs Youngster

Mamelodi Sundowns head coach Rulani Mokwena has congratulated the club and his players for lifting the Carling Black Label Cup, while also revealing why he handed Ntando Nkosi his debut.

Masandawana beat Orlando Pirates 40 in the final thanks to goals by Sphelele Mkhulise, Grant Kekana and a brace by red-hot Cassius Mailula.

Mokwena lifted his first trophy since being named the sole head coach of the club and explained it means a lot to the entire team.

“Congratulations to the entire football club, congratulations to this awesome group of players. It’s an honour and a privilege to be their coach,” he told SuperSport TV.

“Congratulations to senior management, the Motsepe family. They deserve this, especially after the disappointment, particularly in the MTN8.

“And also for the supporters, we had to do it for them. So congratulations to the entire club, the coaches. But I can’t give enough credit to this fantastic group of players.”

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With the result all but sealed, Mokwena also handed 18-year-old Nkosi his first-team debut, saying he will continue to give an opportunity to youngsters.

“Unfortunately I’m a victim of my background, of my upbringing,” he added.

“My background is as a youth coach, that’s where I developed myself. I was given an opportunity because someone believed in me, while I was still a youth coach and working with youngsters.

“It is therefore also my responsibility to continue to try to give an opportunity to youngsters. I’m not afraid to do it because people were not afraid to do it to me.

“At times, this is our responsibility because part of what we are doing now is the immediate and results, and we have to play for results and we have to win but also we have to look after the future of this football club.”

Sundowns have collected four wins, scoring 15 goals without conceding since Mokwena was named the sole head coach.