Orlando Pirates’ decision to start with Paseko Mako at right-back was part of a tactical plan that didn’t quite work out as envisioned.
Mako, 28, started ahead of Thabiso Monyane in the Soweto Derby as ten-man Pirates lost 1-0 after Olisa Ndah’s 88th-minute own-goal.
Assistant coach Sergio Almenara admitted Mako playing as right full-back behind Monnapule Saleng is something they worked on during the week.
“It was a tactical approach in order to get advantages of the first pressing line, so we thought getting Mako inside with the left foot, playing diagonal passes behind the second press, would give us an advantage,” he said in the post-match press conference.
“It did happen if you remember Dzvukamanja got into space in the first half in the first minutes, so that’s what we were looking [for] from this.
“We don’t select the team based on what football they use, it’s about the skills and capacity the player has in order to fulfil the game plan we want to develop.”
