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They added a lot of value - Mngqithi praises Mamelodi Sundowns substitutes
The 49-year-old tactician was also pleased with his charges' workrate as 10-man Masandawana outsmarted Lidoda Duvha
Mamelodi Sundowns head coach Manqoba Mngqithi heaped praise on his second-half substitutes for their impact in the win over Black Leopards on Wednesday evening.
A brace from Peter Shalulile inspired Masandawana to a 2-1 victory over Lidoda Duvha in a PSL match which was played at Thohoyandou Stadium.
Gaston Sirino was introduced after Ovidy Karuru handed Leopards the lead and he was involved when Shalulile levelled matters.
While Andile Jali, Sphesihle Mkhulise and Lesedi Kapinga all came on after Mothobi Mvala was sent off and Sundowns pushed for the winning goal which they got in stoppage time.
What's been said
"It was one of those matches where when we had all the numbers we did not put the intensity that we put when we were a man short, it's very strange," Mngqithi told SuperSport TV.
"Because I believe first-half we gave a little bit more, they gained confidence and momentum and started to think they can play the moment we started putting them under pressure and working very hard.
"I must say the substitutes that we put in also added a lot of value to the guys that had already exhausted their legs, I believe 'AJ' [Andile Jali], [Sphelele] Mkhulise did a very good account of themselves," he continued.
"Gaston [Sirino], [Lesedi] Kapinga were also instrumental but Peter [Shalulile] was a tiger up top, fighting for every ball, you can never take that away.
"The captain [Hlompho Kekana] playing as a 6 and also coming to play as a central defender at a later stage, fought very well with Mosa [Lebusa] and [Lebohang] Maboe," he added.
"I must commend him, it's very difficult to move from midfield into defence during the game and still be able to adapt quickly, so it was encouraging."
