Nothing, in my opinion, will make up for it. Coach Rhulani Mokwena of Mamelodi Sundowns is adamant that winning three titles wouldn’t make up for a disappointing Caf Champions League campaign

They also hope to become the first team in South African football history to finish a league season unblemished, having gone undefeated in 24 league games.

Rhulani Mokwena, nevertheless, is adamant that these accomplishments won’t make up for the disappointment of not making it to the Champions League.

No, I’m still in shock. I’m still in shock, and I’m speaking personally. “You’ve got a double already, you got the AFL (African Football League) and you got the league title,” remarked someone who was trying to comfort me. Thus, why are you still in shock?” he asked the press.

However, I have to admit that I feel as like I’ve let the fans and the club down. Given that I am the group’s leader, I feel as though I have let them down.

And it’s my role to take the lead and take ownership when we fail. Therefore, nothing, in my opinion, will make up for it.

“We should have been in the Champions League semifinals. I believe we accomplished enough to give ourselves a chance to be in the final based on our performance in the second leg of the semifinal,” he said.

“We didn’t get our wish. “It’s true that you need luck to succeed in the Champions League. We were building momentum and making opportunities when a thunderstorm hit, and then Thapelo Maseko got hurt,” he went on.

After 45 minutes of building tension, there is a 20-minute period followed by the unease of needing to play for the next 45 minutes [and needing goals], which is difficult.

“Minor details but crucial ones that can turn the tide in your favor are the altitude and heat against a North African team, and our stadium’s unavailability for a 3 pm kickoff on a Saturday, which would have given us an extra day to recover,” he continued.

Even in terms of philosophy, I have to embrace it. However, that doesn’t lessen the suffering. I take full responsibility for that failing, and I sincerely apologize as I have previously done to the club. However, that doesn’t mean you should give up because we will ultimately win the Champions League,” he said.

Masandawana will play Golden Arrows on Wednesday, May 8, at Mpumalanga Stadium in Hammarsdale, close to Durban. The team’s attention is still on the league.

After that, on Saturday, May 11, they play Royal AM at Loftus Versfeld in an attempt to continue their winning streak.