Mokwena shows Mvala love despite Downs' dream-crushing own goal: 'I gripped the hand firmly'

At Loftus Versfeld

Mamelodi Sundowns coach Rhulani Mokwena said his showing love to Mothobi Mvala was the most important thing he did in the aftermath of the club's CAF Champions League semi-final exit against Mororcco's Wydad Athletic Club.

It was Mvala's 83rd-minute own-goal when he headed in Attiat el-Idriss's freekick that saw Sundowns fail to make the final for the first time since 2016, when they won the tournament.

Sundowns had taken the lead through Themba Zwane and Peter Shalulile, but allowed the visitors to equalise not once, but twice.

MATCH REPORT | Sun sets on Sundowns' CAF Champions League as own goal secures Wydad's ticket to final

Ayoub el-Amloud had scored the first leveller before Mvala's solar-plexus goal knocked the stuffing out of the hosts.

Mokwena has also been part of Sundowns' other failed playoff attempts that this level and in cleverly masking his emotions, he stood by his defender's mistake.

Mvala's own-goal allowed Wydad to have a chance of defending their title as the 2-2 draw allowed the Moroccans to win the tie on away goals after last week's goalless draw in Casablanca.

"In moments like these, there are two things that can be said. One of them is that those who don't make mistakes aren't doing anything at all," Mokwena said.

"Two, I don't think he's prepared to listen to the coach at the moment, but he felt the coach's love, which is something I can assure you of.

"I gripped the hand firmly and pulled the body a lot closer and I gave him the reassurance that he's not alone.

"That, for me, is probably more important than any of the words I could have muttered at the moment."

RECAP | Sundowns' CAF Champions League run ends after Wydad secure Loftus draw

The semi-final failure meant Sundowns only won