Mamelodi Sundowns utility player Sphelele Mkhulise has admitted that they have not recovered from the 1-0 defeat to Cape Town City at the weekend.
The loss ended Sundowns’ staggering 53-game unbeaten streak and ultimately shattered their dreams of completing the DStv Premiership season holding the “invincible” tag.
This was thanks to the second-half strike from young City sensation Jaedin Rhodes, who pounced on a defensive blunder from Mothobi Mvala.
Speaking to the media ahead of the Nedbank Cup final against the Orlando Pirates at the Mbombela Stadium on Saturday, Mkhulise said the mood in the camp is still low after the weekend defeat.
We are still not okay
“The mood in the camp … after the game against Cape Town City, we were not okay because, as Mamelodi Sundowns, we always want to dominate,” Mkhusile told the media during a press conference in Chloorkop on Tuesday afternoon.
“We want to dominate the results and the ball, and whenever it happens that we don’t get three points in a game, we will not feel okay.
“Even though we had already won the league, it was important for us to get three points against Cape Town City because we were playing at home in front of our fans.
“So, losing against Cape Town City did not sit well with us. Even now, as a group, we are still not okay; we haven’t recovered from that defeat to Cape Town City.”
Midfielder Neo Maema echoed the sentiments of his teammate, saying that losing the last game was heartbreaking.
“The disappointment of not reaching the goal of invincibility this season. It struck us that we fought so hard for 29 games but did not make it in the final game,” said Maema.
“But we have a final on Saturday that we have to win, and sooner or later we will get over the disappointment.”
On track to clinch a treble
Despite the disappointment about the record that was not achieved and crashing out of the CAF Champions League semifinals, Sundowns still have an opportunity to clinch a treble this season.
The Brazilians have already won the DStv Premiership title and the inaugural lucrative African Football League.
They will now be desperate to end the season on a high and stop the Pirates from defending their Nedbank Cup crown.
