Mokwena Questions Yellow Card For Lunga
Mamelodi Sundowns coach Rulani Mokwena disagreed with referee Jelly Chavani’s decision to show a yellow card to Divine Lunga in the first incident of their Nedbank Cup semifinal clash against Stellenbosch at Danie Craven Stadium on Sunday.
Titus posed a constant threat to Lunga on the left flank, and the Zimbabwean defender was fortunate again in the second instance. The first assistant referee, Zakhele Siwela, who was involved in the same incident trying to track both players, suffered a hamstring injury.
While Stellenbosch’s medical staff attended to Siwela, Sundowns capitalized on the situation by substituting Lunga with Thapelo Morena, who went on to be named Man of the Match.
Due to Titus’s pace and ability to exploit space behind the defense, Sundowns initially opted for Lunga’s physicality to contain him. However, after the caution, Mokwena felt compelled to make a change.
“My first instinct, maybe the first incident where he got the yellow card, it was a little bit soft,” said Mokwena.
“Maybe when he goes for that second one, that should be the one he should have gotten a yellow for, in my opinion.
“And we are not talking it should have been a sendoff or not and that is my perspective, and it is a perspective I choose because I will always protect my players, and my team, and be biased in my outlook of things.”
By reacting strategically to avoid a potential red card, Mokwena’s team secured a 2-1 victory and booked their place in the Ke Yona Cup final. The African giants will face the defending champions Orlando Pirates on 1 June at Mbombela Stadium.
Picture courtesy of Mamelodi Sundowns