Dondol Stars co-head coach Vincent Rammoni said a number of tweaks in strategy and personnel helped Motsepe’s ABC side shock top-flight SuperSport United 2-1 in the last 32 of the Nedbank Cup on Wednesday evening.
Matsatsantsa looked in control of this losing encounter when captain Siya Nhlapo gave them an early lead, but second half strikes from Relebogile Molefe and Stars captain Kholofelo Monama sent Gavin Hunt’s side out of the competition at the first hurdle.
Man-of-the-match Sphamandla Gumede also excelled in goal, making some excellent saves.
also read: Dondol dumped SuperSport out of the Nedbank Cup
“It was a very difficult game, for us to play in the Premier League, when we are in the ABC Motsepe League,” Rammoni said after the game.
“There are many aspects, especially in defense where we have to go deep to match his physical presence. It’s not easy, especially in the first half.
The Stars found more space after the break and Sibonile Nomala crossed for Molefe to beat Ricardo Goss at the second attempt, before Monama’s effort wrong-footed Goss and sent the Gauteng amateur side into the last 16.
“At half time we spoke to the players,” added Rammoni.
“We tweaked a few things….we made two subs right at half-time to try and bring the ball down and move our defensive line as much as possible, so we could force them to play more in the half…quick with our midfield advanced.
“We also started to change the wings to go more inside instead of sitting on the right side to try to invite one. We went to the V-shape in the second half and it became easier, and started to give a more od role to the full back, who had too much space in unattended side. That’s how we got the first goal.”