PRETORIA, SOUTH AFRICA – SEPTEMBER 30: Mamelodi Sundowns Coach Rulani Mokwena during the CAF Champions League, 2nd preliminary round – leg 2 match between Mamelodi Sundowns and Bumamuru at Lucas Moripe Stadium on September 30, 2023 in Pretoria, South Africa. (Photo by Lefty Shivambu/Gallo Images)
Mamelodi Sundowns lost out on the first available silverware of the season last Saturday when they suffered a 3-1 defeat on penalties to Orlando Pirates in the MTN8 Cup final at Moses Mabhida Stadium.
However, Masandawana were not happy with the referee on the day, Abongile Tom because of two penalty shouts where the fans believed that the official should’ve pointed to the spot. However, in an exclusive interview with Soccer Laduma, former Sundowns midfielder Roger Feutmba believes that although the referee could have made mistakes, he pointed out that those decisions were not intentional.
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The Cameroonian stated that Sundowns themselves should also take responsibility for not scoring good opportunities they had created.
“Yes, I can say there were two penalties which the referee should have given mainly the one from the corner kick,” Feutmba told the Siya crew.
“I can’t believe how he couldn’t give that one! The other one could be debatable. The one on Peter Shalulile. But we can’t say it was robbery. It was the wrong decision. There is no one who can come with the intention to rob another team of victory mainly in such a big game like the cup final.
“Yes, I can agree the mistakes cost Sundowns the trophy but they were just wrong decisions from the referee. I think it’s about time they brought in the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) to help in such situations,” Feutmba told Soccer Laduma.
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Feutmba added that, however, if Sundowns had taken the chances they had created then they should have won the game earlier on, in the first half.
“It was a totally difficult day for us. We could have won the game if Themba Zwane and Peter Shalulile had taken those chances. Shalulile cannot miss from an open net like that. That could have been 1-0 and that could have been enough to win the game.
“Pirates would have opened up more and we could create more chances. Look at that Zwane chance and then Shalulile. That was 1-0 and the game is over. It’s a pity it was not our day.
“Opportunities were there to kill the game but that’s the beauty of football. You get the unexpected results and Pirates won the trophy. It was really unfortunate for us. If we had just scored one goal with the quality of Sundowns that could have been the end. But that’s what happened and that’s football,” Feutmba concluded.
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