Mamelodi Sundowns co-coach Rulani Mokwena has praised his side for avoiding a banana-skin result against Mathaithai FC and was happy to see Lebogang Maboe back on the pitch.
Downs beat the ABC Motsepe League side 6-0 on Tuesday evening to progress to the Nedbank Cup quarter-finals.
Mokwena explained that Tuesday’s game was more a psychological battle for his players against an opponent from the lower leagues.
“Congratulations to our team, it was not a fluent performance in relation to our schemes, but that’s only normal when you’ve changed the lineup and rotated the squad, that’s the price you’ll pay because you lose cohesive superiority,” he said after the match.
“The attitude of the players was very good, the application, the energy was very good and they did the best that they could under very difficult circumstances.
“It’s not easy to play against an opponent that you don’t know too much about because they play in the lower league, but our preparations, our diligence in making sure that we have the information for the players and we show how serious we are about this game it also allowed us to try to get them in to the right frame of mind.”
Mokwena also praised Lebohang Maboe who made his first appearance since picking up an injury during last year’s COSAFA Cup and immediately found the back of the net.
“It was great to see Lebo Maboe coming back from a long term injury, and not just coming back but being able to provide an assist and a goal,” he added.
“He deserves it because of his professional conduct and how he has carried himself throughout his rehabilitation process and this is a great example of what happens when you are steadfast and focused, and dedicated to your profession.
“Lebo’s story is just a story that is not just indicative of the talent that he possesses but the type of human being that he is, it was great to see him coming in and playing the way that he did and contributing to the win today.”
