Mamelodi Sundowns head coach Rulani Mokwena says the injury of Abubeker Nasir left a sour taste despite his side’s win and replacement Cassius Mailula finding the back of the net.
Nasir, who made his first start for Masandawana since September, had to be stretchered off after a clash with Orlando Pirates goalkeeper Siyabonga Mpontshane in first-half injury-time.
Mailula was brought on as his replacement and even found the back of the net to double Mothobi Mvala’s lead in the second interval.
After the match, Mokwena insisted Mailula wasn’t ready to start the match and Nasir’s injury has somewhat tainted their win over the Buccaneers.
“No, just match readiness. [He is] still not ready and it’s just a pity that his introduction was fastened because of Nasir’s injury, which is a little bit unfortunate,” he said after the match.
“That’s probably the sourest taste [of today]. It’s sad that last time it was Haashim Domingo against Pirates, today it’s Nasir. It’s sad that these type of games always have to end with these type of situations.
“Nasir is loved by his teammates and he’s such a humble human being. And you see with his movements he’s very selfless, he’s trying create things for his teammates, so I’m his teammates also have…
“I could see at half-time when he was on a stretcher and he was being attended to by the paramedics, ell the players came to sit down, they all walked past Nasir and touched him, encouraged him. That shows you because of the type of human being he is.
“Cassius is not ready yet, for sure Peter is not ready yet, Haashim is not ready, so we’re in that space, but good for Cassius to get some minutes also.”
Sundowns moved 12 points clear of Pirates with a game in hand and return to action on 3 January when they will face Swallows at home.
