Mamelodi Sundowns head coach Rulani Mokwena has leapt to the defence of defender Mothobi Mvala, who was sent off in the African Football League on Tuesday night.
Mokwena’s men were held to a goalless draw by Angolan giants Petro de Luanda in the second-leg clash of the AFL quarter-finals at Loftus Versfeld Stadium in Pretoria.
Mamelodi Sundowns played the most part of the game with 10-man but managed to hold on to their advantage as they won the first leg 2-0, thanks to goals by Marcelo Allende and Thapelo Maseko in Angola a week.
The Tshwane giants booked a place in the semi-finals as they clinched a 2-0 aggregate over Petro, setting up a date with Al Ahly.
On Tuesday, Mvala was shown a red card in the third minute for a professional foul on Petro forward Tiago Azulao. However, Mokwena was quick to defend the Bafana Bafana international.
RULANI MOKWENA BACKS MVALA
“I have made far more mistakes than Mothobi Mvala in life. Far more costly mistakes in my life. Of course, we will analyse and check. We will speak to him for sure like we did with all other mistakes,” said Rulani Mokwena.
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“Many of my players make mistakes. I’m sounding like a pastor. The Bible says forgive seven times, seventy-seven times, you know what I mean. We genuinely say we love our players.
“The definition of love in the Bible is that love keeps no account of wrongs. So, when I tell you that here I love my players, I genuinely mean that.”
“So, when we make mistakes, we analyse, check, and we move on. We try to improve. Mistakes are life problems, and they exist in life because they present you with opportunities not just for growth but for learning, finding solutions, and getting better.
“Mothobi, like any other players who have played for Mamelodi Sundowns, will always receive love from me, the club, and everybody associated with the club. But never will be judged.”