Mamelodi Sundowns head coach Manqoba Mngqithi has thrown his support behind striker Peter Shalulile, with the Namibian hitman still searching for his first goal of the season after five matches in different competitions.
Sundowns secured a spot in the CAF Champions League group stage with an 8-0 aggregate hammering of Mbabane Swallows in the two-legged tie of the second preliminary round.
READ | Rampant Sundowns qualify for CAF CL group stages
In the second leg on Saturday, which ended 4-0, all of Kobamelo Kodisang, Malibongwe Khoza, Thembinkosi Lorch and Sphelele Mkhulise found the back of the net.
One man who was unable to get his name on the score sheet was Shalulile, despite several attempts at goal.
The fixture marked a fifth consecutive encounter in which the hard-running forward uncharacteristically failed to register a goal.
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However, speaking to journalists at the post-match press conference, Mngqithi said he was pleased with the 30-year-old's contribution and that the club would continue its effort to help him break the duck.
"To answer you on Peter, I was very impressed with the effort Peter put in the game, and that's the reason we'll always support Peter no matter what because he never lacks in giving the team everything he has," Mngqithi said.
"When he's not scoring, it's our time as the whole technical team and the whole club to support him in his endeavours to come back because he's still going to be very important for us.
"The reason we also decided to play him today was to try and give him the confidence to bury one [goal], and we know that once he has scored one goal, it will open up again, and his confidence will be back.
"I must say, there were a lot of things that were positive in his game, but he was just unfortunate not to have scored," added the coach.
Sundowns next face Marumo Gallants in a Betway Premiership clash on Tuesday at Loftus Versfeld Stadium.
Kick-off is at 17:30.