Kaizer Chiefs legend Doctor Khumalo blasts Cavin Johnson. Image: ©Muzi Ntombela/BackpagePix
Doctor Khumalo questions Mokwena’s tactics after Esperance loss
Doctor Khumalo said Rulani Mokwena’s poor tactics made Esperance look good as the Tunisian giants claimed a 1-0 victory.
Kaizer Chiefs legend Doctor Khumalo blasts Cavin Johnson. Image: ©Muzi Ntombela/BackpagePix
Kaizer Chiefs legend Doctor Khumalo has questioned Mamelodi Sundowns’ coach Rulani Mokwena’s tactics after their 1-0 loss to Esperance.
The Brazilians suffered a shock 1-0 defeat to Esperance Sportive de Tunis in their first-leg semi-final of the CAF Champions League. Despite Masandawana having 60% of the ball possession, they failed to create clear goal-scoring chances.
Doctor Khumalo believes Mokwena’s gameplan against the Tunisian giants was not spot on.
“This is a true reflection in terms of how disciplined Esperance were, because they allowed Sundowns to have touches in their own half, they were not hurting them,” he said on SABC Sport.
“In football language, we would’ve said it was a high-school game that Sundowns showed because they didn’t hurt them.
“Sundowns made Esperance look good because they played to their strengths.
Doctor Khumalo has a go at Rulani Mokwena
“They were expecting Sundowns to be that team that comes with a lot of combinational play, that doesn’t hurt them, it doesn’t do anything. So it doesn’t look good.
“But as soon as they changed gear, Sundowns to fifth gear, you could see Esperance breaking at the back.
“But now you ask yourself how is Rulani playing a [Thapelo] Maseko in this temperamental game,” Khumalo added as per iDiski Times. “He hasn’t played much in the PSL, now he brings him in this [game] and they are trailing, they are chasing the game.”
Sundowns under pressure after defeat to Esperance
Doctor Khumalo said Mokwena needs to develop a better game plan if Sundowns are to progress to the final.
“It’s difficult to predict because they’re just leading 1-0,” he added.
“If only Rulani would come up with a better plan because he’s stuck on fourth gear. He needs to get to fifth gear. That fifth gear is the one that will take Sundowns to the final,” Doctor Khumalo on Mokwena.
