We got the personnel right – Pitso

Coach Pitso Mosimane said his calculations were correct as his side matched and annihilated the Clever Boys strengths.

Downs made wholesale changes in his starting line-up, and had to lose goalkeeper Denis Onyango through injury in the game against Wits, with Wayne Sandilands coming on for the African based Player-of-the-Year.

“My changes were not about giving other players opportunities, it was about getting the right personnel for the game and it was a gamble because we made about six changes. But we must also understand that three were forced from injuries. Anthony Laffor is injured, Khama Billiat, and Anele Ngcongca is injured – those ones were forced.

“But Bangaly Soumahoro for Ricardo Nascimento was not forced. And I also have to rotate Bangaly, Ricardo and Wayne Arendse all the time. The three of them understand that they have to share the load and Tebogo Langerman has to share the load with Fares Hachi. He provided a good cross for us against Platinum Stars – but we knew that there was Phakamani Mahlambi and Gabadinho Mhango, so we had to have the right speed for that kind of a game. Even if Anele was fit, he wouldn’t have played this match because we have to try and match the tempo. If it has to come to the midfield of Thabo Monare and Granwald Scott, Hlompho Kekana and Tiyani Mabunda have the right temper and attitude for that game,” said Mosimane.

He continued: “I always say; you can’t study biology but you are going to write a test in geography. You’ve got to study what is coming to you. We knew that it is the game that they play and they are not going to change their game plan. I watched their game against Baroka FC, and I left after 60 minutes because Baroka did not have the right temperament. They wanted to play football and the ball was going the other side of them. Foul – freekick – ball in the box – goal – finished – 5-0. So is said I am not going to play football also.”