How Kutumela injury almost cost Sundowns in derby

Mamelodi Sundowns coach Manqoba Mngqithi couldn’t stop bemoaning Thabiso Kutumela’s injury in their 1-0 victory over Tshwane rivals SuperSport United at Lucas Moripe Stadium at the weekend.

Peter Shalulile’s goal, his 12th in the league this term, just nine minutes into the match was enough to hand the Brazilians the win. Kutumela was stretchered off a few seconds before the half-hour mark with Gaston Sirino replacing him. Mngqithi narrated how losing Kutumela disadvantaged them.

“We were unfortunate to lose Kutumela because he was very influential in our high press. From there we started to give a little bit more of space and time to Jamie Webber, who’s got very good diagonal balls,’’ said Mngqithi in his post-match interview.

“[Kegan] Johannes, who played as a right centre-back [for SuperSport], was very instrumental in finding the left-back and that made our life a little bit difficult because if Webber finds the right-back easily and Johannes finds the left-back easily it becomes now a game where you have to try and deal with them. You know [Thamsanqa] Gabuza is always a factor whenever they put balls into the box.”

The Brazilians' mentor  felt that conceding a shot on goal in the first few minutes of the game was a wake-up call for them. “I think it’s a game we started very well. Surprisingly, in the first three minutes we got a shot at a goal from [Moses] Waiswa… From there we recollected ourselves. We became stronger and managed to get a goal,’’ said Mngqithi.

The log leaders will hardly get time to reflect on the display against Matsatsantsa as they welcome struggling Baroka at Loftus Versfeld Stadium tomorrow at 5.30pm. Mngqithi expects a daunting encounter.

“The matches are coming thick and fast. It’s another tough one because Baroka haven’t been doing well of late. It’s always tough when we play against people that are struggling because they’ve got nothing to lose,’’ said Mngqithi.