Michaelson Ntokozo Gumede

By Ntokozo Gumede

Journalist


Sundowns were better than us – De Sa

Roger de Sa always knew his relegation-threatened Platinum Stars stood very little chance of getting anything against Absa Premiership pacesetters Mamelodi Sundowns.


Pitso Mosimane’s side was unforgiving when they thumped Stars 3-0 at the Loftus Versfeld over the weekend to open a four-point gap over Benni McCarthy’s chasing Cape Town City.

“They were all-round better than us, we can’t argue with that,” said De Sa.

“Overall it was disappointing for us but we’ve got to be realistic when we look at their bench and whoever comes off the grand- stand, it’s scary. We’ve got to be realistic and say it would’ve taken something special to get something out of the game and it didn’t go away, it went as expected,” he added.

READ: Billiat situation is not in my hands – Mosimane

A three-game winless run leaves Dikwena at the foot of the log. However, De Sa is somewhat pleased that Stars managed to reach their target of 15 points in the halfway stage.

“We managed to achieve that and we are trying to achieve another 15 points in the second round, there is no other way,” said the former Orlando Pirates coach.

Masandawana had the game, wrapped up at half-time following two Khama Billiat freekicks and a gorgeous Sibusiso Vilakazi solo goal. The Brazilians could have added more goals to their tally of 31 goals this season.

However, Mosimane decided against rubbing more salt to the wound as his team took the foot off the pedal in the second half.

“What caused that is because we have been leaking goals a bit so we needed to get a clean sheet. We needed to manage the game a little bit. We’ve got our three goals in the first half, we’ve done the job so let’s manage the game,” he said.

Mosimane handed new recruits Jeremy Brockie, Aubrey Ngoma and Gaston Sirino their debuts off the bench. It was the Uruguayan midfielder who set the scene alight and made an immediate imprint among the Sundowns faithful.

“I know what he is capable of doing, that’s why we brought him here,” said Mosimane.

READ: Billiat brace sinks Platinum Stars

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