Sekhukhune United interim coach McDonald Makhubedu believes his side has replaced Kamohelo Mokotjo and Elias Mokwana with quality, if not better players
Babina Noko lost a couple of their key players, including Kamohelo Mokotjo and Elias Mokwana from last season.
Mokotjo joined Cape Town City, who the Limpopo side lost to in the MTN 8 quarter-finals, while Mokwana joined North African giant Esperance Sportive de Tunis.
The pair was replaced with Thabang Monare and Keletso Makgalwa, who started the cup match at the Peter Mokaba stadium on Saturday.
Makhubedu said Monare is on the same level as Mokotjo, while Makgalwa is better than the Bafana Bafana international, adding that it he feels like his side did not lose anyone.
“I think we have replaced them with players who are more or the same level with them or [even] better than them,” Makhubedu told the media in Polokwane.
“We cannot replace them with bad players. Keletso is a better finisher than Mokwana, a very experienced player, always scores goals wherever he is given a chance.
“With Monare and Mokotjo, yes, big player for big player. I think we have replaced them with better players. That is why the players did not even struggle, even in the friendlies.
“Makgalwa has been scoring every time and he passed a late fitness for today’s game. I think he also played well today, he had three shots at goal, his trade mark finishing last pole curling he tried.
“And he played against one of the best right-backs [Thami] Mkhize, a seasonal campaigner and he came out tops until his muscle said no, he cannot go on.
“So we didn’t lose anyone.”
Meanwhile, Sekhukhune confirmed that new coach Peter Hyballa already resigned from his role over allegations of misconduct.
