On Mamelodi Sundowns losing to Esperance in the CAF Champions League semi-final
Despite losing both legs of the semi-finals and getting knocked out of the CAF Champions League, overall, I think Mamelodi Sundowns did well in terms of playing in the opposition’s half and trying to create opportunities. But at the same time, we have to be honest because Peter Shalulile is not at his best. We can’t blame him for not scoring because as a striker, you won’t be able to score goals all the time – it’s just that right now he is not at his best. But I believe that the work ethic he has been putting in has been good and it’s only that killer instinct and putting the ball into the back of the net on a regular basis that is missing. To go back to the game against Esperance, I would have preferred to start with Themba Zwane. Mshishi is one of those players, who knows how to make the team play in the final third of the pitch. He knows how to make the team control the match in the final third, he knows how to play into pockets of spaces, he knows how to protect the ball and pass the ball into small spaces. That is what was lacking in Sundowns’ game against Esperance in the second leg.
Sometimes, when Themba Zwane starts the match, he would get substituted on the 70th minute even though he is still playing well. Those type of players, you don’t have to take them out. Just keep them inside the field because their presence makes so much difference because the opponents know how dangerous they are. When a player starts on the bench, it drops his confidence, unless the coach explained his reasons for starting him on the bench. Zwane’s presence is very important, and he could have a lot of difference in that match especially in the final third. Shalulile combines well with Mshishi and when Mshishi is not playing, he is not getting those balls. The second point I would like to make is that, Thembinkosi Lorch is not clicking well with Mamelodi Sundowns at the moment. The type of football that he is playing is different to the style played by Sundowns. But I believe that, maybe by next season, he will be able to click well with his teammates.
