Mamelodi Sundowns coach Pitso Mosimane bemoaned Anele Ngcongca’s forced substitution after the right-back was forced off the field through injury against Maritzburg United.

The Brazilians were eliminated from the semi-final of the competition after suffering a 3-1 defeat to the Team of Choice on Sunday.

Mosimane felt that Deolin Mekoa should’ve received his marching order after injuring the Sundowns right-back 10 minutes into the second half.

‘Mekoa is on a yellow card and kicks Anele off the pitch. We lose Anele, Mekoa receives a talk. Gaston [Sirino] is on a yellow and gets dismissed,’ Mosimane told SuperSport TV after the game.

‘I’m not saying it shouldn’t have been because it was a foul but I think the ref didn’t manage the game well. We tried to equalise but they set back. We controlled the game in the first half.’

The Sundowns mentor felt his side had numerous opportunities to put the game to bed, but failed to convert their chances in front of goal.

‘I think we scored early and had the chance to score the second from a number of chances. Vila [Sibusiso Vilakazi] scuffed the ball in front of goal, we should’ve finished with Percy [Tau] as well. We should’ve finished the game there but we did not,’ he added.

‘I think the equaliser was a brilliant goal. We didn’t overload the throw-in, allowing it to go on the other side but their inter-passing was brilliantly done. It was a brilliant goal no doubt about it.’

Mamelodi Sundowns will be hoping to bounce back when they take on Maritzburg United in the Absa Premiership on Wednesday, with kick-off set for 7:30pm.