Sekhukhune United head coach Lehlohonolo Seema has weighed in on whether Katlego Otladisa’s absence against Orlando Pirates, affected Babina Noko’s game plan.
Otladisa joined the Limpopo club on a loan deal in the January transfer window from The Buccaneers in order to get game time.
Sekhukhune were without the services of the talented winger Otladisa when the side locked horns with the Jose Riveiro-coached club in a Betway Premiership tie at the Old Peter Mokaba Stadium in Polokwane on Wednesday night.
Pirates walked away victorious with a 2-1 win over Sekhukhune, thanks to goals by Deon Hotto and Makhehlene Makhaula. Linda Mntambo scored the consolation goal for the home side.
The 28-year-old Otladisa has been influential for Sekhukhune as he has become a regular starter since signing for the team. He has already featured in six games across all competitions for Babina Noko, contributing a goal and one assist.
In those six matches, Otladisa was helpful in the team’s build-up play – adding value to Sekhukhune’s attacking options.
Otladisa was not part of the Sekhukhune squad due to Pirates’ policy that prohibited him from playing against them while on loan at Seema’s side.
WHAT LEHLOHONOLO SEEMA SAID ABOUT KATLEGO OTLADISA’S ABSENCE
While recognising the potential impact of Otladisa’s absence, Seema emphasised that he had prepared other players, knowing the winger wouldn’t be available. Sekhukhune new signing, Alves Ngakosso-Oko, started in Otladisa’s position against the Soweto giants.
“Well, no, it’s not like I knew today. So, from the onset, we knew, and it doesn’t matter,” Seema told journalists in Polokwane. “We had to plan because we knew that today we were not going to have him against Orlando Pirates.
“So, it didn’t unsettle us anywhere. We planned accordingly, so there was no problem, but definitely, he is a part of the team.”
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