Pitso allays fears over Downs duo
KEY MEN: TAU, MORENA SHOULD BE FIT FOR CRUNCH TIE
Mamelodi Sundowns coach Pitso Mosimane expects both Percy Tau and Thapelo Morena to be fit to face Orlando Pirates in a crunch Absa Premiership clash on Saturday.
The Brazilians’ coach took both Morena and Tau off towards the end of Masandanwana’s 2-1 win at Ajax Cape Town on Tuesday evening.
“Thapelo Morena has a dead leg, he will be okay for the Pirates game and Percy Tau, we are managing him for Pirates also, that’s why we substituted him in the last five minutes and to also give a chance to the youngster Keletso Makgalwa. We survived a bit to seal it (the win). It is just game management and take the three points,” Mosimane told SuperSport TV.
This was an important victory for Sundowns at the Urban Warriors, after they had lost their previous two league matches, and it moved them four points clear at the top of the table.
Mosimane’s counterpart Muhsin Ertugral sat on the bench for the first time in his fourth spell at the club after receiving his work permit. He was, however, disappointed that new striker Tendai Ndoro will have to wait a little longer to make his debut for Ajax as he is still awaiting his permit.
The Turk felt Ndoro’s presence would have turned their misfortunes around.
“(In the) first 30 minutes with Tendai upfront we could have finalised the game and maybe he would have had a hat-trick. He is a proper player, he knows exactly where to go and when he has a half chance he will score,” Ertugral said on SuperSport TV.
“You are playing against a team (Sundowns) that knows what they are doing. It does not come overnight, it is really hard work, you can see the movemen ... the passing and the organisation. If you close one side they come at you from the other side, they are actually a brilliant team,” he added.