Maduka pulls out four players before halftime | SuperSport

football09 August 2023 06:32| © Mzansi Football

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Royal AM coach John Maduka made the unprecedented step of making four substitutions before halftime as his side conceded early goals to Orlando Pirates in Tuesday’s DStv Premiership clash.

The KwaZulu-Natal-based side were 3-0 down after only 35 minutes prompting Maduka to make a raft of changes as his displeasure with the performance was all too evident.

The four players went off in the 40th minute in a scene never before seen in the DStv Premiership.

“I think we made things difficult for ourselves. We made mistakes that we were not supposed to make. Orlando Pirates sit around and wait for you to make those mistakes and when you make those mistakes, they punish you.”

Maduka said he made the changes to inject some life into his side. He took off veteran fullback Thabo Matlaba, playing against his old club, and Menzi Masuka, another ex-Buccaneer, plus midfielder Siphesihle Msomi and youngster Sanele Radebe.

“I think because we could we see that we were very slow. We're very slow and maybe that was because these players played days ago. And some of them are a bit older as well. So that's why we had to try and make changes and immediately put in a fresh legs and I think it did work well though, although we did not get the point that we needed.”

Royal AM did pull a goal back through substitute Sphiwe Cele to be 3-1 down at the break and then got another nearer the end but eventually lost 4-2.

“The boys showed character the second half, I think we're much, much better. Defensively in the second half we were much better organised and that’s why we managed to score those two goals. Time, of course, wasn't on our side.”

Maduka said afterwards his four changes was not a statement, but added: “Players must know that you can wait until you get punished before you start playing. You have to take the game. We always emphasise that we have to start the game well, and we warned them because we knew that Orlando Pirates will come out very aggressively. If you're not awake, you'll have a problem.”