Marumo Gallants head coach Raymond Mdaka and his troops became absolute experts in the art of ‘time-wasting tactics’ in one of the weekend’s DStv Premiership most talked about showdowns against the Soweto giants, Kaizer Chiefs.
Time-wasting was central to their display, so much so that Gallant’s ball boy was shown a red card and even devised a tactical plan to run down the clock early on.
This came after Mahlatse Makudubela’s 12th-minute strike that gave Bahlabane Ba Ntwa a lead in the first half.
However, the Limpopo club in the end then infamously throw away a 1-0 lead to draw 1-1 with Amakhosi at Royal Bafokeng Stadium, thanks to a sucker punch in the 84th minute when Zitha Kwinika’s header brilliantly found the back of the net from close range to level matters.
In a post-match interview with SuperSport TV, Mdaka revealed all citing that they needed to stabilise Chiefs’ momentum at the time as they were coming hard at them.
“I wouldn’t say it was time-wasting but when you feel the fire you need something to cool up that fire. Otherwise, you will burn your fingers,” he said.
“So, we had to get a way of stopping the fire, like Chiefs was coming at us from all cylinders and then we had to reduce their speed with these small little things [time wasting tactics].
“If you go all out when they are on top of you, chances are you may lose the game,” Mdaka explained.
MDAKA ON TOURE RED CARD
In the 66th minute of the showpiece, Marumo were reduced to 10 men after Olivier Toure received his second yellow card for a foul on Ashley Du Preez and the mentor believes that the red card changed the game’s outcomes.
“Obviously, the red card changed the game as you could see the toll was taken on our players and the worst part of it happens when our key centre-backs who are already out.
“Our captain Lehlohonolo Nonyane, Ayanda Nkili and Sibusiso Kumalo are already out because of injuries. So, we just have to take it, the one point that we thought we will get three, I think will be enough for us.
“I don’t blame the red card because the red card is part of the game. We need to manage when we have a red card and maintain whatever we have. That is why I feel like the win is gone just around the corner here.”
