Following the weekend's MTN8 action, insight has been shared on why it was always going to be difficult for Mamelodi Sundowns to beat Orlando Pirates in the first leg of their semi-final.
Pirates and Sundowns squared off in an entertaining match at Orlando Stadium on Saturday, which ended 1-1.
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Few gave Abdeslam Ouaddou's men a chance to avoid defeat following their poor start to the league season, where they lost to Sekhukhune United and Marumo Gallants respective.
"Sundowns started well and even scored, but we failed to maintain our lead," admits former winger Koketso Mmotong.
"Pirates were on fire in the second half, probably because they had nothing to lose, as everyone had already written them off.
"It was a game of two halves: the first half belonged to Sundowns, while the second half belonged to Pirates. I feel Pirates had more opportunities than we did - we scored from a set-piece.
"It was a balanced game, but for us, a draw feels like a loss. Pirates have always been a challenge for Sundowns, and I have always feared them," he continues.
Mmotong notes that The Buccaneers seem to thrive in cup competitions having won five in the last three seasons.
"They are formidable.
"In fact, Pirates have not been a bad side this season; it’s just that their coach wanted to implement his own strategies too quickly in a well-oiled team. He almost disrupted that team.
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"On Saturday, the Pirates coach humbled himself and started with players like Relebohile Mofokeng, who were trusted by Jose Riveiro. Evidence Makgopa was a strong presence up front, unlike Radiopane.
"I suspect Abdeslam Ouaddou didn’t want to utilise the players who had been winning games for the previous coach."
The second leg is at Lucas Moripe Stadium on Saturday at 15:00.
Photo: Daniel Hlongwane/Gallo Images
