Miguel Cardoso has responded to questions about feeling pressure to field Themba Zwane, who was in the starting XI as Mamelodi Sundowns kicked off their FIFA Club World Cup campaign with a win.
A first-half solitary goal from striker Iqraam Rayners is all Sundowns needed to overcome Ulsan from South Korea, though they had two goals disallowed for handball and offside.
The result is a perfect start for Cardoso's men, who now top Group F, after Borussia Dortmund survived a scare to draw with Fluminense.
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The match also saw a first start since returning from injury in April for experienced Zwane, who captained the side on the day.
Cardoso has come under intense scrutiny from sections of supporters in recent weeks over the Tembisa native's lack of game-time, particularly in the two-legged CAF Champions League final against Pyramids FC.
However, speaking to media after the match, the Portguese-born gaffer insisted his decision to start the 35-year-old was not influenced by pressure.
"About Themba, there are no ghosts from the past at all, or on me, the pressures from inside the club, with the board, with my players. You have pressure when you settle into a career of coaching like me," explained Cardoso.
"What happens is that Themba made a hell of two weeks of preparation, so that is the respect we need to have. People spoke a lot about that.
"It seems people didn’t understand he comes from a process of growth, since the moment he could enter the team and train, it’s important to give him the right opportunities so he can perform, and today was the right opportunity for him to play.
"So, I had no problems putting him in, even having the risk of letting people think I’m putting him in because of pressure."
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"I made the decision consciously, without any kind of force, because I have such respect for my players that they know I don’t joke with them.
"We play fair, we trust, and we have a lot of values in our locker room that go beyond the question that was raised in the press," he continued.
Sundowns next tackle Borussia Dortmund on Saturday.
