With the dust now settling on Mamelodi Sundowns' 2-1 loss to Orlando Pirates in the Nedbank Cup final, KickOff takes a look at five factors that went wrong against Rulani Mokwena's charges.
1. Mokoena did not show up
There are certain players that enjoy the privilege of being selected even when their match fitness is questionable, especially in big games like a cup final.
Teboho Mokoena being one of them.
It speaks volumes that Sundowns lost back-to-back matches against ES Tunis in the CAF Champions League semi-finals without Mokoena due to injury, and although 'Tebza' was on the pitch against Pirates, perhaps his match fitness levels were not at their optimum to influence the game.
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In Mokoena's first game since his injury, he came off the bench in a damaging loss to Cape Town City and it appears a cup final came too soon for him.
2. Why Mudau was not be replaced?
"We needed him, we just needed him. He's an important player. he was playing very well, his dribble is what led to a penalty. So, we just needed him," head coach Rulani Mokwena told reporters post-match on why he did not substitute Khuliso Mudau, who appeared in pain and signaled to go out with a shoulder injury.
"I asked him even at half-time, does he think he can continue? And he felt he could, so we needed him," Mokwena said.
Mudau was clearly struggling, especially defensively in the second stanza, and Pirates capitalized by bringing on Relebohile Mofokeng, who was always free, including when he scored a stoppage time winner, on the break.
3. No one to replace Shalulile
The unavailability of Peter Shalulile due to injury made Sundowns a little bit thin up front, especially since they do not have a similar type of a player to replace him.
The injury to Lucas Ribeiro Costa, just before Pirates equalized, made things worse.
"It's difficult when you go into it and you lose Lucas and that's another moment that went against us. Even before that, you lose Peter Shalulile through a freak injury building up to the preparations," Mokwena said after the game.
4. Zungu playing as a centre-back against Pirates
Tactically, playing Bongani Zungu as a centre-back looks like a stroke of genius, especially against teams playing with a low block, due to his passing ability.
However, up against a quality side like Pirates, it was a huge risk that backfired. Although mostly due to injuries, Mokwena went into the game with only one defender on the bench, Divine Lunga.
5. No game changer?
Although it is normal for coaches to withhold substitutions in a cup game when the score is tied in the closing stages, in case the match goes to extra-time, Sundowns seemingly had no special players who could change the game off the bench late in the game.
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The likes of Sipho Mbule and Tashreeq Matthews, who were on the bench, have that ability, but they did not get any chance to get on.
The loss of Thapelo Maseko, Thembinkosi Lorch and Lesiba Nku due to injuries had its effect as well, while Gaston Sirino was not included in the squad.
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