Mamelodi Sundowns head coach Rulani Mokwena has explained why Peter Shalulile and Tashreeq Matthews didn’t start the Tshwane derby against SuperSport United.
Mokwena did ring the changes upfront, with Gaston Sirino and Matias Esquivel starting instead of Shalulile and Lucas Ribeiro, who picked up an injury.
Masandawana extended their unbeaten run to 42 leagues games despite dropping two points at home against their cross-town rivals.
“I’m happy for the players who haven’t been given a lot of game-time,” Mokwena told SuperSport TV.
“We can’t win them all, can we? Happy to take a point and we move.”
Mokwena then explained some his squad decisions, and why he opted to give more players minutes in the second half, revealing why Shalulile and Matthews, who was in line to be in the line-up, only started off the bench.
“Thapelo deserved some minutes. Mendieta has been very well in training, he also deserved some minutes,” he added.
“Peter, we are trying to manage him. Tash is struggling a bit because there is Ramadan. We wanted to start him but he’s struggling a bit because of the fasting.
“We could see when he came on a litte bit…
“But they have to try, have to give their best and we’re happy with their effort.”
