Mamelodi Sundowns coach Rulani Mokwena has urged the referees to ensure a
fair and entertaining match in Saturday’s MTN8 final between his side and
defending champions Orlando Pirates. The two sides recently met in a
Premiership match which produced nine yellow cards, and Mokwena hopes that
the final won’t be marred by physicality and tackles that are over the
top.
Speaking at a press conference held at Chloorkop on Thursday, Mokwena
said: “Hopefully it’s a good game of football without the harassment of
referees, without physicality of tackles that are over the top. Almost
every game, we lose a player against Pirates, like with a very severe
injury. Haashim Domingo in the Carling Black Label, (Abbubeker) Nasir is
still not here because of the situation with (Siyabonga) Mpontshane and in
the last game, (Nkosinathi) Sibisi took Marcelo (Allende) out on the
halfway line with a studs up, two-footed tackle. And Marcelo has not
really recovered from that.”
Sundowns are preparing well for the final and are not paying too much
attention to Pirates’ recent struggles. Mokwena added: “We’ve been
preparing well. We’ve tried to focus a little bit on understanding what
personality is needed from us on Saturday and the players have been
responding well.”
The MTN8 final between Mamelodi Sundowns and Orlando Pirates takes place
at Moses Mabhida Stadium on Saturday.
All roads lead to Moses Mabhida Stadium 🔜 Everything is on the line! #WafaWafa in the MTN8 Cup Final! 👆
⚽ Orlando Pirates vs. Mamelodi Sundowns
📅 7 October
⏰ 18H00
🏟 Moses Mabhida Stadium
📺 SS 202 / SABC1
📲 #Sundowns #MTN8Final pic.twitter.com/GND4GJsZ0P— Mamelodi Sundowns FC (@Masandawana) October 4, 2023
