POLOKWANE, SOUTH AFRICA – SEPTEMBER 21: Phuti Mohafe coach of Polokwane City during the Betway Premiership match between Magesi FC and Polokwane City at Old Peter Mokaba Stadium on September 21, 2024 in Polokwane, South Africa. (Photo by Philip Maeta/Gallo Images)
Polokwane City head coach Phuti Mohafe has explained how his side were able to stop Mamelodi Sundowns in their 1-0 win on Sunday.
Rise and Shine became the first team defeat Sundowns in the Betway Premeirship after a spirited performance at the Old Peter Mokaba Stadium.
Read: Sundowns Suffer First Loss, Pirates Remain Top!
The City tactician was happy without his side were able to deny Sundowns’ key players space in the midfield.
“I think what we did well was to manage those spaces in between the defence and the midfield, where [Marcelo] Allende and [Tashreeq] Matthews were operating,” Mohafe said on SuperSport TV.
“As well as the space that was used by [Thapelo] Morena and [Asekho] Tiwani on the sides. So we managed that perfectly well, we forced them to go wide but we set traps, that when they go wide, the moment they receive the ball we must make sure that we pounce on them.
“We cannot match them in terms of possession, because we’re team that go for a defensive structure, so we made sure we defend well, we block whatever they throw at us and we go on counter-attacks.
“We also use set-pieces and we scored from one and that is the only way, as Polokwane City we do well against Sundowns.”
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