Mokwena Stunned As Sundowns Squander Lead Against Swallows
Mamelodi Sundowns coach Rulani Mokwena was left bewildered after his team surrendered a comfortable lead to draw 2-2 against Moroka Swallows in a DStv Premiership clash at Dobsonville Stadium on Monday.
Sundowns seemed to be on course for victory after goals from Teboho Mokoena in the first half and Marcello Allende in the second. However, a spirited comeback by the “Dube Birds” saw them snatch a point against the league’s most defensively sound team.
Augustine Mahlonoko capitalized on a defensive lapse in the 57th minute, tapping home after Sundowns failed to clear a free kick. The equalizer arrived in controversial fashion later in the second half. A moment of madness from Devine Lunga saw him head the ball towards an arguably offside Gabadinho Mhango, who cleverly flicked the ball past Ronwen Williams to level the score.
Mokwena, visibly frustrated by his team’s performance, offered short and terse answers in the post-match interview.
“It’s shocking,” he said when asked about referee Jelly Chavani’s decision to award the equalizer to Mhango on SuperSportTV. “Very shocking. But anyway, let’s move on.”
It was clear Mokwena hadn’t seen the replay of the incident. “I’ll have to review it,” he admitted.
“We dominated the game, created numerous chances, and should have been comfortably ahead by halftime. We had a golden opportunity (to make it 3-0, but Peter Shalulile opted to pass instead of shooting). Additionally, (when we saw Mhango) was offside, we shouldn’t have headed the ball back towards him. I’ll have to analyze it. But okay, but phew, yeah.”
The draw means Sundowns miss the chance to close on the league title. They now need 11 points from their remaining eight matches to secure a record-extending seventh consecutive league title.