Co-coach Rulani Mokwena hailed Peter Shalulile's goal-threat and selflessness as reasons why he refused to replace the Namibian during their dramatic MTN8 final triumph.
Shalulile was the only attacking player who played the entirety of the cup final victory over Cape Town City at the Moses Mabhida Stadium on Saturday.
Having scored eight in 13 appearances this term and 30 from 52 games since joining Sundowns at the beginning of last season, means the Namibian striker is indispensable for the Brazilians.
Scroll through the gallery to see the top scorers from the last 10 MTN 8 campaigns
"He scores and I mean it is a final and it is even difficult when Peter struggles," argues Mokwena when asked about why the Namibian was kept on the pitch until the end.
Shalulile went on to convert the last penalty goalkeeper Denis Onyango made a vital save to clinch the MTN8 title.
"We have seen it against Golden Arrows last season and against Black Leopards away in Thohoyandou last season where he helped us sneak in three points right at the death.
"Over and above the ability to score, Peter's attitude, selflessness, and his ability to run and sacrifice for the team allow us to be able not just to keep him on the pitch not just because of the goals but because he also personifies the mentality that we would like to see on the pitch.
"That was the biggest reason. Very difficult to take out the top goal scorer in the final when you need goals," says Mokwena.
Shalulile is running on numbers better than those achieved by the legendary Daniel 'Mambush' Mudau at the same age and has had a better start to his time at Chloorkop than Katlego Mphela and Raphael Chukwu.
The 28-year-old has only been substituted in only four of the 11 games he has played on the domestic scene.