Kaizer Chiefs forward Lebogang Manyama admits they were expecting Gabadinho Mhango to start ahead of Tshegofatso Mabaso for Orlando Pirates in their Telkom Knockout Cup quarter-final.
The Glamour Boys advanced to the semi-finals of the knockout competition after claiming a 4-2 win on penalties over rivals Pirates after the game ended 2-2 following extra time at the Moses Mabhida Stadium.
Manyama says they had to switch up their approach once they saw Mhango on the bench as Tshegofatso Mabasa started up front alone.
Manyama, who was named Man of the Match, admits that they had to switch up their tactics after they found out that Mabaso would start, with Mhango on the bench.
‘We knew we were going meet a different Pirates. This game is special, as you know, in the country but I’ve got to give credit firstly to our fans. They’ve been with us since the beginning of the season, they’ve been selling out stadiums, so ja, this is for them,’ Manyama told SuperSport TV post-game.
‘Secondly, to the boys, 1-0 down against Pirates, maybe you can say luck when they get a red card. We raise it, we never stop fighting, we fight week in, week out, you know, and we take it from here. We have a game against them next week, so ja, so far so good.
‘When you play Pirates you don’t know which formation you gonna face, we had hoped they start with Mhango and Mabasa but now they came completely different, so we had to switch it up a bit.
‘First half we were a bit lost, then second half, obviously when “Dumi” [Dumisani Zuma] comes in, I got to praise him also … he raises the whole team with his energy and how he plays, you know, so we take a win even though Pirates deserved it too. I mean to fight the way they did with 10 men, you got to give them huge respect also.’