Manqoba Mngqithi reacts to MTN8 semi-final draw – Photo: Sundownsfc.co.za
Shalulile injury update: Sundowns keep Pirates guessing
Sundowns co-coach Manqoba Mngqithi is seemingly playing mind games with regards Peter Shalulile’s availability against Orlando Pirates.
Manqoba Mngqithi reacts to MTN8 semi-final draw – Photo: Sundownsfc.co.za
Mamelodi Sundowns co-coach Manqoba Mngqithi is seemingly playing mind games with regards Peter Shalulile‘s availability against Orlando Pirates.
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The two Gauteng giants will lock horns in the second leg of the MTN8 semi-finals on Saturday with a place in the final at stake.
Kick-off at Peter Mokaba Stadium is at 15:30.
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The first leg which was played at Orlando Stadium ended in a goalless draw, meaning this clash needs goals if it is to be decided within 90 minutes.
Now, the biggest question on everyone’s lips is whether or not Shalulile will be on the pitch come kick-off time but Mngqithi wasn’t prepared to answer that.
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Instead, Mngqithi said the Sundowns technical team will await feedback from the specialists who are dealing with Shalulile’s muscular complication.
On the other hand, Mngqithi said they rested Shalulile in the last three games to see how Sundowns can perform without the deadly Namibia international.
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And what pleases him the most is that Sundowns managed to score 16 goals in the three matches that Shalulile missed.
Apart from waiting for the green light from the specialists, Mngqithi said Shalulile might come in as a big surprise to Pirates in this titanic match.
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SUNDOWNS COULD SURPRISE PIRATES WITH SHALULILE
“To be honest, I would not want to talk much about our players in our camp,” Mngqithi told the media.
“But the truth is the biggest thing I’m happy about is that we tried to see how the team can perform without Peter in the last three matches. And in those matches, we scored 16 goals.”
“For us, that is very important. As to whether he [Shalulile] will be part of this one I cannot be sure. We did rest him over the past two or three matches because we also want to have him as fresh as possible,” said Mngqithi.
“Probably he might come in as a big surprise for this match. At this stage, it is very difficult to say whether he is in or out because the specialists have to give a call in that space.”
“But his condition is still okay in terms of physicality, so we just have to wait and see what comes out from the specialists,” he concluded.
