Phuti Mohafe: Photo Credit: Polokwane City media.
Polokwane City coach Phuti Mohafe has explained why he is happy to beat SuperSport United 1-0 at Lucas Moripe Stadium on Friday and how such a result might put Rise and Shine in a tight spot.
Mohafe told SuperSport Television that beating SuperSport was not easy considering their threat in set-pieces and long balls. “They were so dangerous from the crosses, set-pieces, long balls and second balls,” he said.
“We struggled to win second balls in the first 15 minutes. We controlled the match in the first half. In the second half, we just wanted to absorb the pressure and defend what we had and fortunately, we got the goal. In the process, it put us in a tight spot because now teams would want to beat us.”
Mohafe admitted that they were lucky to walk away with maximum points as SuperSport were not a walk-over. “They gave their all; they should have scored. They hit the upright two times. Samir Nurkovic gave up problems aerially. We were not able to cut the crosses so we brought in Mbalule to deal with that,” he noted.
Taking his turn, SuperSport coach Gavin Hunt said ‘he has never seen anything like this’ after his side missed scoring opportunities. “It is unfortunate for us as we had a couple of big chances we should have scored. Upfront we are trying to get going but the players there have to do better,” he said.
Hunt bemoaned soft penalties which his players are penalized for after City earned a penalty opportunity late in the game. “How many penalties against us this year? I think seven or eight. These are unbelievable penalties against us.
"The boy won the ball clean and fairly so it is disappointing but you have to take your chances in your good moments, the final ball, the final pass and pull a shot. It is amazing sometimes. I have been in football for a long time. I have seen a few things but I haven't seen anything like this in a long time,” he explained.
The win saw City move into third place in the log table with 25 points from 14 games ahead of fourth-placed Sekhukhune United who also have similar points with two games in hand. SuperSport are in 10th place with 16 points.
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