Mamelodi Sundowns win over Sekhukhune United a miracle says Rulani Mokwena

The Downs mentor explained the DStv Premiership victory this way because of their busy schedule having just returned from Tunisia in the early hours of Monday morning following the first leg of their CAF Champions League semifinal tie against Esperance.

Mokwena made 11 changes with an eye on the return leg on Friday, but instead, those who featured were also fatigued.

"I think what we did today [Tuesday night] was nothing short of a miracle because without our strong mentality and character we wouldn't have won this game. Especially after you think about what happened in our last league match against Moroka Swallows and you've got something very similar where the team could have collapsed while also struggling for legs and people can say, yeah rotation but you're rotating with players that also had a trip to Tunisia," Mokwena said.

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Downs’ goals came from attackers Tashreeq Matthews and Thapelo Morena in the opening minutes of the second half.

Mokwena adds that it was evident the players were drained as the game went on.

"11 hours to go there, 11 hours to come back, you're rotating with players that some were on the bench, some were in the grandstands in Tunisia. The emotional affection from the result also influences that. So, when I say fatigue, I mean fatigue in that sense and you could see it a little bit towards the end where the players were suffering a little bit but we dug deep and I'm very proud of them because I think today [Tuesday night], we showed the strength of a chameleon," Mokwena explained.

The 2-1 win also meant Sundowns remained unbeaten in the league after 22 matches, and Mokwena was more than satisfied with the overall performance.

"We absorbed pressure and we suffered when we needed to. We were potent and very aggressive when we needed to and sometimes, we stayed quiet without too much when we needed to and I'm very proud of the players because we used the tempo at the right time, we were fast at the right time, slow at the right time and then when the game asked us to suffer we suffered. So, proud of the players, proud of the efforts of everybody, we beat a good side, I actually have to say that and I even said to the coach [Lehlohonolo Seema], he's got a good team."