How the absence of Shalulile exposed Sundowns

Mamelodi Sundowns co-coach Manqoba Mngqithi has explained how the absence of star striker Peter Shalulile left the Tshwane giants exposed.

Mngqithi was speaking following the 3-0 hammering at the hands of Orlando Pirates in the second leg of the MTN8 semifinal at a packed Peter Mokaba Stadium on Saturday

The result saw Masandawana eliminated from the competition with a 3-0 aggregate score as the first leg in Soweto ended goalless two weeks ago.

The Namibian international, Shalulile has been missing in action due to a muscle complication. The 29-year-old has not featured for Sundowns in their last four matches in all competitions.

WHAT MNGQITHI SAID ABOUT SHALULILE

“For sure we would be lying when we say we don’t miss Peter [Shalulile],” Mngqithi said after the match in Polokwane.

“That is why we tried our best we cannot expose it to everyone that he is out. Because we know everybody knows how dependent we are on his ability to finish our chances.

“And also, to give us a chance from the first line of defence with his high line and speed and all that.

“That to a certain extent had an effect on the whole team. But we were consoling ourselves with the number of goals that we scored prior to this match,” he said.

Sundowns have scored 16 goals in the last four matches without their top marksman.

“But we knew for a fact that at some point if we don’t take chances, we might be exposed that we don’t have a player of Peter Shalulile’s calibre.”

ON LOSING TO PIRATES

“We must take a little bit of the blame, I think we lost too many balls very cheaply,” said the Sundowns coach.

“Knowing the strong points of the opposition in transition, you cannot avoid to risk position like that. Because once they decide to go on a low block, a little bit more patience is wanted.

MngqithiI added: “I must also say since Saleng started playing, their transitions are a little bit more clinical than before.

“Because if you look at this game today, I think they only had three or four shoots at goals and all three are on target.

“In this match, we had far too many shots at goals but unfortunately, we did not get anything out of it and I think we were not clinical enough in the final third.

“But more than anything else I think the goal that they scored early in the first half made life very difficult for us.”