An incensed Rulani Mokwena has suggested that there exists a campaign against his Mamelodi Sundowns side after they were held to a 2-2 draw by Moroka Swallows in a drama-filled match.
The DStv Premiership log leaders threw away a 2-0 advantage in a league clash at Dobsonville Stadium on Monday night.
Goals from Teboho Mokoena and Marcelo Allende in each half saw Sundowns looking set for another victorious night.
However, the Dube Birds clawed their way back into the contest through goals by Augustine Mahlonoko after 57 minutes and Gabadinho Mhango’s late equaliser in the 84th minute.
A furious Mokwena believed both goals should not have stood when speaking after the final whistle.
Mhango’s goal was initially ruled out for offside before being later given after referee Jelly Chavani had a lengthy consultation with one of his assistants.
Mhango was initially in an offside position but was played onside when Sundowns defender Divine Lunga headed the ball towards his own goal.
Mokwena pointed out that this was the third occasion that Sundowns were on the wrong end of a refereeing decision.
Drama at Dobsonville Stadium as Mhango equalises for Swallows 👀👇
— SuperSport Football ⚽️ (@SSFootball) April 15, 2024
What are your thoughts on this? 💭#DStvPrem pic.twitter.com/hFiR1dw3fP
“I don’t need an explanation because it’s the third time this season that Sundowns has had VAR. For the third time this season, and you are not writing about it,” A furious Mokwena told the media at Dobsonville Stadium.
“Both goals are offside, the first goal was offside, and the second goal is also offside, but I don’t need to be explained to, I studied the laws of the game very, very well.
“I don’t have my (coaching) licences for fun. I went to the coaching school, I studied, and you can ask me about any law of the game.
“I know the laws of the game, it’s one of the most important things to know before you coach.”
Mokwena said the same thing happened when they were held to a goalless draw by Polokwane City at Loftus Stadium where Peter Shalulile’s goal was ruled out after being initially given as a goal.
Mokwena said Monday’s incidents don’t paint a good picture of South African football.
“Everybody watches these games, worldwide, I have people in Europe who watch every Sundowns game, what do you think they write about South African football?” Mokwena questioned.
“What do you think is their perception of South African football after they see that? That’s the biggest thing. It’s not for me, I’m not as important as South African football, and the game is going to live beyond me, so what happens to the image of South African football?
“Every week coaches must complain about the officials. (Ernst) Middendorp (Cape Town Spurs coach) was complaining, and that’s the people I feel sorry for, AmaZulu, I feel sorry for Polokwane City, for Spurs, the teams that are at the bottom of the log table.
READ: ‘I’m happy we benefited’ – Musa Nyatama delighted as Moroka Swallows curtail Mamelodi Sundowns
“The ones that we’ve taken points from (because) we are now giving them points through the referees.
“It’s not me, I’m not as important as the game and I’m not as important as the other clubs. The clubs are fighting for their lives and then Richards Bay will get relegated by one point, what are you going to say?
“And then the coach of Richards Bay gets fired because the team is relegated, what are you going to say?
“You’re going to write the coach is fired and forget how he got fired,” he said.
“That’s not a mistake. You know when you make a mistake, it’s a mistake but that’s not a mistake.
“The assistant referee puts his flag for offside and then they consult, who was Jerry consulting? You tell me, who was Jerry consulting? He went to the assistant referee, and he put a hand (around his mouth), and he was talking to somebody.
“Who is he talking to, VAR? Do we have VAR in South Africa all of a sudden?”
Sundowns hope to put the disappointment behind them as they switch the focus to the Caf Champions League semi-final against ES Tunis.
The two sides clash in the first leg at the Stade Olympique Hammadi Agrebi in Tunisia on Saturday at 21:00 (SA time).
Swallows are making things uncomfortable for Sundowns 👀
— SuperSport Football ⚽️ (@SSFootball) April 15, 2024
Great set-piece from the home side 👇
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