Mamelodi Sundowns coach Rhulani Mokwena admits that both teams displayed their “quality” on both sides of the pitch during the Tshwane derby on Monday evening.
The Brazilians stretched their winning run in the DStv Premiership to 11 matches after they defeated rivals SuperSport 1-0 at Loftus Versfeld Stadium in Pretoria.
Neo Maema scored his fourth goal of the campaign, which proved to be the winning goal after he slotted the ball home after being set up by Cassius Mailula in the 43rd minute.
Mokwena praised his side for their display against United but also reserved special praise for his counter part Gavin Hunt, who’s side gave them a tough time on the pitch.
“Congratulations to the entire Mamelodi Sundowns family, congratulations to the players, they fought very hard, top of the table clash, number one versus number two (three),” Mokwena told SuperSport TV.
“So you can expect what we saw today, chances on both sides, quality on the pitch on both sides and Gavin Hunt has not won four league titles by chance hey.
“The only difference is that [Thapelo] Maseko played with the left foot on the right and normally Gavin [Hunt] likes to have the full-back and winger to deliver balls into the box.
“So, [Gamphani] Lungu was on the left with the right foot and Maseko on the opposite side. So, they played a little more inverted.”
“Zeida’s [Aubrey Modiba] position was for a winger to go on the outside and deliver the cross and not for him to come inside and put the ball inside so we had to adjust and the centre backs needed to be five or 10 metres a little bit higher so that they could provoke the press.
He added: “So we had to address that a little bit and also the centre backs needed to be five or ten metres a little bit high so they could provoke he press.
“But look, it happens we’re happy with the fight, we fight. One thing you can never ever… we play but we also fight. We pack a punch when the opposition requires us to pack a punch.
“And congratulations to the players and congratulations to Masandawana supporters.”
