Mamelodi Sundowns coach Rulani Mokwena remains positive despite his side’s Nedbank Cup final defeat to Orlando Pirates.

The 2-1 loss at Mbombela Stadium on Saturday dashed their treble hopes, but Mokwena emphasized the team’s record-breaking achievements throughout the season.

This season saw Sundowns secure a historic seventh consecutive DStv Premiership title. They also enjoyed a remarkable unbeaten run of 29 league matches and set new records for points (72), wins, and clean sheets. Additionally, they went unbeaten in 53 league games and achieved the most away wins in a single season.

Mokwena highlighted the importance of winning the inaugural African Football League, a top priority for the club. Their league title and Club World Cup qualification further solidified their success. He acknowledged the cup final losses but emphasized the team’s overall growth and achievement of key objectives.

Sundowns also became the first South African club to reach the CAF Champions League semi final on two consecutive season, before losing to Esperance.

Despite all these records attained and playing the best football in the league and in Africa, there are talks that he is not appreciated at the African giants by some people.

“We take the double,” Mokwena admitted. 

“We have done an incredible work this season and I think if you look at what we done – 29 games unbeaten in the league, setting new records for a number of points (72), number of games won, equaling the clean sheet records that has been there for so long, going 49 matches without a defeat something like that (53 in the league), number of away wins this season, number of double wins each season that has never been done before, winning the AFL which for me and the club at the beginning of the season was very clear that the AFL was number one priority. 

“Winning that plus the league title, which is very important as it was seventh consecutive, qualifying for the Club World Cup which is a consequence of a lot of hard work not only this season but also last season – we ticked a lot of boxes. 

“Then, when you look at the MTN where we were last season in the semifinal, this season we lost in the final, the Nedbank Cup and last season we were in the quarter finals – the games maybe marginal but they are there and sometimes that’s perspective you got to take. 

“The level of growth this team has taken even though the stature of the football club we represent it’s not enough, but it’s important not to lose perspective on some of the good work that we have done and some of the objectives that we have achieved, and the boxes we have ticked.  

“But, still not good enough is it? Good at Mamelodi Sundowns unfortunately is not good enough.” 

Despite the cup final loss, Mokwena remains the frontrunner for the PSL Coach of the Season award, a testament to his exceptional leadership throughout Sundowns’ record-breaking season.