Royal AM coach John Maduka has explained his decision to hand Andile Mpisane his first DStv Premiership start in the heavy defeat at the hands of provincial rivals AmaZulu FC.
The Royal AM chairman Mpisane’s long-awaited full DStv Premiership debut ended in a disappointing 3-0 defeat to Usuthu.
Mpisane, typically known for his off-field role, took to the pitch as a midfielder but struggled to make a significant impact before being substituted at halftime.
AmaZulu capitalised on early Royal AM errors to score three goals before the break, leaving Mpisane and his team with an uphill battle.
WHAT JOHN MADUKA SAID ABOUT ANDILE MPISANE DEBUT
Despite the heavy loss and Mpisane’s quiet performance, Maduka stood by his decision. “Chairman, you know it was his first game to play, to start the game,” he told journalists. “The game-time is always difficult, but he had some chances to play [in the past], and we’re happy we had to give him a chance to play.”
Maduka acknowledged the challenges of adapting to top-flight football but emphasised Mpisane’s right to prove himself.
Ultimately, Maduka admitted Royal AM needed tactical adjustments at halftime to address the deficit, leading to Mpisane’s substitution for experienced midfielder Sbusiso Magaqa. He remained firm, however, that the team selection wasn’t solely to blame for the outcome.
“As much as we made those changes, it’s not that we changed how we play,” Maduka stated. “We still stuck to our structure, the way we played. The personnel that we introduced came right because it was the people that have been playing before. It was easy for them to adapt to the pace of the game. And we can’t say we got it [the selection] wrong.”
Instead, Maduka pinned the loss on Royal AM’s mistakes, highlighting the importance of avoiding errors in professional football. “We made mistakes. That’s why we got punished,” he concluded.
Mpisane’s debut may not have gone as planned, but Maduka’s defence offers a glimpse into his future on the pitch.
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