Mamelodi Sundowns co-head coach Rulani Mokwena has explained what he said to Pavol Safranko after subbing the striker, who himself had come off the bench in the first half, in their win against Baroka.
Sundowns won the DStv Premiership clash 2-1 despite being down to 10 men for half the match following Kermit Erasmus’ red card just before half-time.
Safranko was an early replacement in the game, coming on for the injured Peter Shalulile in the 24th minute. However the Slovakian was taken off in the 75th minute, replaced by defender Ricardo Nascimento.
Mokoena explains that it was a tough decision to make, but the circumstances in the game led them to needing to make the change.
“We had to make the big decision to substitute Pavol,” Mokwena said in the post match press conference.
“And I said to him, even now, and even in the flash interview after the match, I said we apologise to Pavol, because he’s a very, very good person, a gentle giant, and it tore our hearts to pull him off, particularly because he had come on as a sub.
“And, you know that footballers don’t really like that, but the red card and being one man down, and then the events, the way they went, unfortunately, we had to do what’s best for the club.
“So in one way, it’s a pity, and we apologise to Pavol, because it’s not nice to do that to a football player.
“And we don’t like that, we love our players and we want the best from our players.
“But at the same time, we’ve also got a big responsibility to support and help the team to get the result and and unfortunately, that’s the decision.”
Sundowns’ winning goal came just a few minutes after Safranko’s substitution as Themba Zwane scored late to secure the points.
