Domestic success does not take away Champions League disappointment

Even if Mamelodi Sundowns win the league and cup double this season, and finish their DStv Premiership campaign unbeaten, coach Rulani Mokwena says he will feel unfulfilled after missing out on the African Champions League final.

Sundowns, who were continental champions in 2016, failed again this season to reach the final of the continent’s top club competition despite yet another strong run to the semifinal.

They were edged 2-0 on aggregate by Tunisa’s Esperance in the last four, but have since gone on to secure a seventh successive DStv Premiership title plus a place in next month’s Nedbank Cup final.

After 24 league games, they also remain unbeaten, seeking to become the first side in South African history to finish the league season unbeaten.

But none of this will make up for the Champions League disappointment, Mokwena said.

“No, I'm still reeling. And I'm talking personally, I'm still reeling. Someone tried to console me and said to me, ‘you've got a double already, you've got the AFL (African Football League) and you've got the league title. So why are you still reeling’. But I must say to you, I feel like I've let the club down, I feel like I've let the supporters down. I feel like I've let this this group down, because it is my job to lead,” said Mokwena despite the convincing 2-1 win over Stellenbosch in Sunday’s Nedbank Cup semifinal.

“And when we fail, it's my job to stand in front and assume the responsibility. So I don't think anything will make up for it.”

Sundowns:
🏆 AFL
🏆 #DStvPrem
❓ #NedbankCup

Pirates:
🏆 #MTN8
❓ #NedbankCup

Will it be Sundowns finishing with three trophies or will Pirates do back-to-back domestic cup doubles? pic.twitter.com/R183Ov218z

— SuperSport Football ⚽️ (@SSFootball) May 6, 2024

UNLUCKY DOWNS

Mokwena insisted Sundowns’ demise in the Champions League was unlucky,

“Based on the performance in the second leg of the semifinal, I think we did enough to give ourselves a chance to be in the final,” he said despite losing 1-0 at Loftus Versfeld to go out 2-0 on aggregate.

“Things didn't go our way. You need a little bit of luck in the Champions League. In a moment where we had momentum and were creating chances, there was a thunderstorm that stopped the game. And then there was an injury to (Thapelo) Maseko and all these things they played a part.

“The unavailability of our stadium for a 3pm kick off on a Saturday with an extra day to recover, and the conditions of altitude and heat against the North African side. Those things are minute details, but there are minute details that could swing things in your favour. But we didn't have those, so I can't complain.

“I've got to accept, as I said, even from a philosophical perspective that I've got to accept what is and what the situation is. But that doesn't minimise the pain. The pain is still very, very deep. And I've already apologised to the club. And I know I can apologise once again for that failure because I take it on my shoulders.

“And that doesn't mean you don't try again. And try again and try again. Because eventually we will win the Champions League. But we've got to continue and persist,” he added.