Mamelodi Sundowns head coach Rulani Mokwena has issued his verdict on the debuts of new signings Thembinkosi Lorch and Matias Esquivel as Pirates hold Sundowns.
The pair each got their first taste of action in a Sundowns shirt as The Brazilians return to DStv Premiership action with a titanic encounter against rivals Orlando Pirates at Loftus Versfeld Stadium on Saturday night.
The game would go on to end in a stalemate as Tapelo Xoki’s late penalty cancelled out Marcello Allende’s second-half opener.
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Lorch played 62 minutes before he was substituted off for Sipho Mbule, while Esviail also came on in the 62nd minute for Bathusi Aubaas.
Speaking at the post-match press conference, Mokwena gave his honest assessment of the duo.
"We can all do better, starting with the coach," Mokwena said.
"So of course, even with the new signings, they can do better and it’s difficult, I know and I understand.
"Of course, also with Lorch, the pressure, the talks, it’s his former club and all the other things also don’t help him.
"Matias [Esquivel] still needs to adapt to the league, the intensity, the way we want to play. So that’s difficult for him and so the language doesn’t make it any easier. But okay, we can all get better and we can all improve.
"The first person who has to improve is me, that’s number one.
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The draw is the third one in five matches for Sundowns, who keep their place at the top of the DStv Premiership, nine points ahead of second-place Cape Town City.
Meanwhile, Pirates will be grateful to escape with a point after playing the majority second half at a numerical disadvantage as Miguel Timm was sent off for a second yellow in the 54th minute.
Sundowns now turn their attention to the Nedbank Cup where they take on La Masia in the last 32 of the Nedbank Cup on Wednesday. Kick-off is at 19:00.
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