Co-coach Manqoba Mngqithi has explained Mamelodi Sundowns' decision to withdraw Andile Jali for Bongani Zungu early in the second half against Orlando Pirates.
The Buccaneers and Sundowns played to a goalless draw in the first leg of their MTN8 semi-final at Orlando Stadium.
Read: Bucs Downs Fire Blanks In MTN8 First Leg
The Sundowns coaches decided to introduce Zungu and Marcelo Allende ten minutes into the second half, with Jali and Neo Maema making way.
"We just wanted to improve the speed of our passing game, because we felt we were a little bit slow in giving them time to organised," Mngqithi told SuperSport after the game.
"'AJ' has done very well defensively and in build-ups he always helps us a lot but we had to try and inject a little bit of energy in the game.
"Not that we feel Jali did not play well but we wanted to inject a little bit of energy, which I think we did get second-half because we were on top, we were coming towards them a lot. But unfortunately not very incisive in front of goals."
Mngqithi also thanked the Sundowns fans for their support at the sold out Orlando Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
"We always appreciate the yellow nation because whenever they are there they are vocal," he added.
"Their song, their drum it gives us the energy that we need, inasmuch as we were playing away from home but we did not feel it because we had a lot of our people behind us and we're very thankful to the yellow nation."
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