Orlando Pirates head coach Jose Riveiro has explained the decision not to start Relebohile Mofokeng who came on as a substitute to provide an assist and score a goal during Orlando Pirates' 3-1 win over Stellenbosch in the MTN8 Final.
Lehlohonolo Mojela opened the scoring Winelands-based outfit before Saleng pounced on a rebound from a Deon Hotto free-kick to level matters in the first half.
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The match looked destined for extra-time until a controversial call from match official Abongile Tom, allowed Pirates to take a quick free-kick, and Mabasa slammed the ball past Sage Stephens in added time.
Mofokeng turned provider to goalscorer with a third in the last seconds of the match. To many, the performance only made it more surprising that the 19-year-old was benched for the first half.
However, speaking at the post-match press conference, Riveiro shed some light into his decision to only bring on the reigning Young Player of the Season in the first half.
"You can imagine, we have a game to prepare for and a game plan to execute, with 39 players to choose from, and today Rele [Mofokeng] was chosen to be on the bench and come in after about 60 minutes," Riveiro explained.
"I think his contribution to get this trophy was exceptionally good again, not only today but during the whole competition, and not only in that moment in the game but during the 90 minutes I think he can do it.
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"But today, we prepared the game to play the way we did in the first half and to use what we have on the bench in the moment we considered it necessary.
The Buccaneers will return to league action on 25 October when they take on AmaZulu.