Mamelodi Sundowns head coach Rulani Mokwena has opened up on the first-half substitutions of Abubeker Nassir and Cassius Mailula while addressing the late introduction of Abdelmounaim Boutouil into the first eleven this season.
The young Sundowns attacking duo earned starts against Richards Bay but made way after half an hour for Thabiso Kutumela and Gaston Sirino in their 1-0 win at Loftus Versveld on Tuesday afternoon.
“Nasir and Cassius [had soft tissue injuries], but very proud of Cassius and Nasir because immediately when there was something, they didn’t force, they immediately said [I need to come off],” Mokwena said.
“Prevention is better than cure, you make two early subs but that’s why we have the bench that we have and we were already anticipating the changes we had to make, even at halftime.”
Mokwena says they are aware of what the players within the squad can give as many are on different levels of fitness as things stand – and their recent rotation of the squads is methodical in order to get them all back to match fitness without risking injuries.
“We know we had AB to start but couldn’t give him 90, we knew we had Thapelo Morena and Sipho Mbule but couldn’t give them 90, Mbule needs the games,” he continued.
“AB has lost a lot of the season, he needs the games, he needs regularity, rhythm, undertrain the way we play, understanding his teammates, he needs that.
“He’s had fewer minutes than anyone else this season because of injuries and many other complications in the beginning, so they need the games, they need the regularity and rhythm and it was good to see them on the pitch, very good.”
Sundowns now turn their attention to their second leg CAF Champions League quarter-final where they hold a 4-1 advantage against CR Belouizdad.