Mamelodi Sundowns coach Rulani Mokwena says their new tactical set-up which Marcelo Allende and Abubekr Nassir are slowly being implemented in, justifies their decision on Pavol Safranko.
Safranko and Nassir have now scored two goals respectively after coming from the bench in their new fluid system which sees them play with a midfield diamond at times and two mobile forwards showing more pace and dynamism as previous seasons gone by.
The Ethiopia international, who was signed in January, was registered in place of Safranko, who was since released of his contract and returned to the club Sundowns forked out a reported R12-million for last year, Sepsi OSK.
And while Mokwena acknowledged it was a tough decision to part ways with the Slovakia international striker, he feels it will pay dividends once the new attacking duo settle into life at Masandawana.
“We came for a lot of criticism in a sense when we, unfortunately, had to make the decision with Pavol, but we knew we needed a different type of striker,” Mokwena said, as per MSFV.
“We needed a different profile. But the talk must be [about] what type of striker do you need for the type of game model that you want to play. And if you go really into the game at the highest level, maybe the only striker in a top team, in the top leagues that are still back to goal type striker is Lewandowski.
“But you see how the players are now playing on the last line with possibilities to enter the final third or the box with their faces, facing the goal. Then you need more speed, guile and creativity and we knew we couldn’t get enough of that type of dimension with Pavol.
“As much as he was excellent for us in the times we needed him, his contribution was immense, and his professionalism was incredible.
But it was just a football decision, but as I said before, we’re still struggling to communicate with Nasir, so we need to be more patient with him and Allende and they will come right, but it needs a bit of patience.”
Sundowns will now face Matsatsansa, who they beat 2-0 in the MTN8 quarter-final when they return to DStv Premiership action on Friday evening at the Lucas Masterpieces Moripe Stadium (19h30).
