HOME > NEWS > IGESUND DEFENDS MHLONGO MABIZELA

Igesund defends Mhlongo, Mabizela

Igesund defends Mhlongo, Mabizela

Posted: 2007-12-04 10:37

Mamelodi Sundowns coach Gordon Igesund has defended Benson Mhlongo and Mbulelo Mabizela for their decision to withdraw from the five players named to take penalties in the Telkom Knockout Cup Final shoot-out against Chiefs.

Mabizela and Mhlongo were initially on the list of the five players named to take part in the penalty shootouts but later withdrew before moving forward on the spot to face Amakhosi goalkeeper Itumeleng Khune, much to the disappointment of the Brazilians’ fans who were expecting both senior players to lead by example.

Igesund said their withdrawal was justified because they were carrying injuries picked up during the game.

“Mhlongo had swollen ankle and Mabizela came to me complaining about a pain at the back of his thigh.

“In a Cup Final like this you can’t risk allowing a player with injury to take a penalty. Besides that, all the players on the field were capable of taking penalties, so there is no one person that contributed to our defeat by Chiefs.”

Comment on this article:

TERMS OF USE: The comments posted below do not reflect the views of KickOff.com. Users are reminded that no misuse of this comment facility will be tolerated. Any abusive, racist or inflammatory comments will be deleted and the user banned. Please report abusive posts to editor@kickoff.com

Rich: 2007-12-04 10:51

Mhlongo should be striped captain armbelt.As 4 Gordon,Y did u take out Moriri?He never miss a penalty with his dummies.Anyway i'm a Bucs fan.

kabelo: 2007-12-04 10:58

It's a pity we lost on penalties & it happens to the best in the world. Hard luck to the players and supporters. My main concern is the ability of the technical team especially Gordon, he keeps on making wild selections. We have 4 good left wingers Ngwepe, Kannemeyer, Lekgothoane & Shakes, but they are constantly ignored & it shows he doesn't have faith in them. He plays 1 striker Shabangu & we have capable guys like Ndlovu, Ndlela & Ngwenya who are also ignored,& to make matters worse what was the logic of leaving Sapula out. I believe the writing is on the wall & Igesund must ship out before makes the situation worse. The only positive thing is that Acuna is settling inb well & he must keep upm with the good work.

Mzila: 2007-12-04 10:58

the coach is right, all the Sundowns players are capable of taking penalties, and we all know that a penalty is like a lottery - it goes with an element of luck, Khune was the luckier player on that day - He is a good keeper though, To all the SANDAWANA fans - AKULAHLA MBELEKO NGOKU FELWA, the boys will bounce back - after all we are the champions and will be playing AFRICAS best come 2008,

Tinyiko: 2007-12-04 11:03

it doesn't matter who was supposed to take penalties cos Khune was going to save them anyway, Peter Ndlovu took two penalties and still failed to beat Khune. Gordon should stop making excuses and admit he failed. sundowns are battling and Gordon's days are Numbered.

mohau: 2007-12-04 11:04

I didn't understand why Gordon played Acuna and Nyandoro at same time because they both defending midfielders.He should have played Apataki instead of Acuna because Acuna was lost in the game.Now he defends players who didn't want to take penalties.Gordon your favouritism is catching up with you.

Kideo: 2007-12-04 11:32

Mhlongo said he would check into a mental institution if they were beaten by Chiefs.

When can we expect this, or has he already?

Mmutle: 2007-12-04 12:35

Give us this day, our daily bread and forgive our traps&passes, as you forgive those who trap and pass agaist us...

Marlon: 2007-12-04 14:46

I find it so surprising how so called SA fans like turning on the coach once their team loses a final. Gentlemen there has to be a win and a loser.Thats the game. Believe me Im not the biggest Gordon fan but the man is the best coach in the country. If if you disagree just have a look at his cabinet. League trophys with different clubs with different levels of wealth. Id like to see Dumitru at Thanda Royal Zulus and see what he can do. My biggest problem with Gordon is his inability to identify and bring in the youth. But he is not to blame under any circumstances for the loss in the final. Sundowns played well as did Chiefs but somebody has to lose. Thats the name of the game.

mokoko wa limpopo: 2007-12-04 16:30

The recommendation from the Mental Hospital was for organisers of the competion to award at least one award to Mr. Benson Mhlongo to relieve his nerves. What will happen after the loss to Black Leopard? Mr. Mhlongo will be given the man of the match award.

Zolani: 2007-12-04 19:02

So Mhlongo was gona take his penalty from the bench, as he was already substituted?!? Just excuses if you ask me. All the Sundowns players that took the penalty-kicks are more than capable. Sport is about win and lose. This time losers were Sundowns, their fans must live with it, without putting blame on certain players. ALL FANS MUST LEARN TO ACCPET THIS FACT.

KHOSI 4 LIFE!

Lebo: 2007-12-05 08:59

MamBush should've been there to klap them boys. A captain leads from the front. Esrom should be named Captain of the team. He always steps up front, bearing the york of responsibility on his shoulders.

Shaun: 2007-12-05 11:44

Big ups to the MSFC. Th only problem is that in many cases, players who have been brought into the game as subs, hardly convert from the penalty sport except those with educated feet like shakes. So I think this can be a valuable lesson to the majority of our coaches to vest all the responsibility in the players who were in the starting line up.

musa: 2007-12-06 15:20

Nyandoros,Ndlovus and Apatakis penalties were not bad at all it's just that Khune's brillience was out of this planet, please dont blame the team from the old-age home they just couldnt beat their grandson "Khune".

Loyiso: 2007-12-07 14:23

Look, guys its no use giving urselves headaches about who & why players didn't convert, the answer is staring you in the face: KHUNE! Damn I love that boy, Chiefs must pride themselves with producing the best keepers in the country, Baloyi, Fernandez, now Khune,what more can I say. and pls Gordon, don't feed us bullsh*t: Mhlongo was sub'd before u drew the final 5 to take spots kick rha! Sundowns, u guys are good.....in the league so give credit where its due: Chiefs are cup Speacialists & there's nothing u can do about it!

Khosi 4 Life, I just miss Putco, he would've made the win sweeter, not that Oxford Dictionary they call a PRO!!!!!!