Mamelodi Sundowns star Teko Modise said the Nedbank Cup final victory over Ajax at the weekend was extra sweet after he and his teammates failed to defend their Premier Soccer League title.
Modise said he was thrilled his side managed to close the season on a high note by winning a trophy after beating Ajax 4-3 on penalties at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium on Saturday.
Bongani Zungu’s penalty kick sealed the deal for Sundowns after Ajax’s Franklin Cale missed his attempt.
Sundowns have now won the Nedbank Cup twice under the new sponsor, with their first win coming in 2008.
“This was a must win game for us even though we went to penalties.
“Penalty shootouts are never easy,” Modise said.
“We were hoping to defend our league title but we couldn’t. We had an opportunity to play in the cup final and I am glad that we have won. At least now we are closing on a high.
“Even though the season was bad for us we are happy we have at least something to show for the day,” Modise said.
He also gave credit to his coach Pitso Mosimane for the work he has been doing since joining the club.
“For the past two seasons we have been a different team with the new coach. He has won two trophies in a short space of time. I think we need to give him credit as well.
“I just hope that from now on we are going to build on this one and when the top eight comes around we need to win it as well. We also need to focus on the Champion’s League and the league ,” he said.
Meanwhile, Mosimane says he wants winning to become a habit at Sundowns.
“We’ve been away from the cup since 2008, it’s been seven years. Last year we won the league.”
The former Bafana Bafana coach praised his side’s performance against Ajax on Saturday.
“I have never seen Sundowns play that well. Yes, you can look at it differently and say we won on penalties and with penalties you need luck to win. But the entire 120 minutes we pitched, we played and we were dominant. We never froze and we wanted to win.
“We showed that we are more experienced than the young boys ... but we must be honest also, I thought we could have lost. They had one or two chances,” he added.
Mosimane thanked his players, technical team and the supporters who came to watch Sundowns at the NMB Stadium.
“I must also thank the board who trusted me to head the difficult team.
“Sundowns is not an easy team,” Mosimane said.
Sundowns took home R7-million as winners of the final, while the Urban Warriors received R2.5-million for coming second.
Downs win final after game ends in penalty shoot-out
Modise said he was thrilled his side managed to close the season on a high note by winning a trophy after beating Ajax 4-3 on penalties at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium on Saturday.
Bongani Zungu’s penalty kick sealed the deal for Sundowns after Ajax’s Franklin Cale missed his attempt.
Sundowns have now won the Nedbank Cup twice under the new sponsor, with their first win coming in 2008.
“This was a must win game for us even though we went to penalties.
“Penalty shootouts are never easy,” Modise said.
“We were hoping to defend our league title but we couldn’t. We had an opportunity to play in the cup final and I am glad that we have won. At least now we are closing on a high.
“Even though the season was bad for us we are happy we have at least something to show for the day,” Modise said.
He also gave credit to his coach Pitso Mosimane for the work he has been doing since joining the club.
“For the past two seasons we have been a different team with the new coach. He has won two trophies in a short space of time. I think we need to give him credit as well.
“I just hope that from now on we are going to build on this one and when the top eight comes around we need to win it as well. We also need to focus on the Champion’s League and the league ,” he said.
Meanwhile, Mosimane says he wants winning to become a habit at Sundowns.
“We’ve been away from the cup since 2008, it’s been seven years. Last year we won the league.”
The former Bafana Bafana coach praised his side’s performance against Ajax on Saturday.
“I have never seen Sundowns play that well. Yes, you can look at it differently and say we won on penalties and with penalties you need luck to win. But the entire 120 minutes we pitched, we played and we were dominant. We never froze and we wanted to win.
“We showed that we are more experienced than the young boys ... but we must be honest also, I thought we could have lost. They had one or two chances,” he added.
Mosimane thanked his players, technical team and the supporters who came to watch Sundowns at the NMB Stadium.
“I must also thank the board who trusted me to head the difficult team.
“Sundowns is not an easy team,” Mosimane said.
Sundowns took home R7-million as winners of the final, while the Urban Warriors received R2.5-million for coming second.
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