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Mosimane explains the clever rationale behind his substitutions against Zamalek

Mamelodi Sundowns coach Pitso Mosimane’s overriding aim in the three substitutions he made in Saturday’s 3-0 Caf Champions League final first leg victory against Zamalek was to get players who could potentially be suspended off the field.

Downs’ emphatic home victory has given them an excellent chance of lifting the Champions League trophy in the second leg at Borg El Arab Stadium on Alexandria on Sunday.

Mosimane said once Downs had secured the three-goal advantage with Eslam Hamed’s 46th-minute own goal‚ his priority became to preserve players on yellow cards who would have been suspended for the second leg had they picked up a further booking‚ including star striker Khama Billiat.

Billiat was the first to go‚ replaced by Teko Modise in the 65th minute.

Centreback Wayne Arendse – whose booking on Saturday means he will miss the second leg – was substituted by Soumahoro Bangaly‚ the man who will also replace him in Alexandria‚ in the 70th minute.

Themba Zwane replaced Hlompo Kekana in the 86th minute.

“I didn’t only bring in Bangaly because I’m preparing him [for the second leg]. I also brought him in because I didn’t want to play with 10 men‚” Mosimane said.

“Wayne had a yellow card‚ and I don’t have him for the next match. So I sacrificed.

“My substitutes were not tactical. My substitutes were to take Wayne out‚ because he can get a second yellow card.

“And as he was walking out I was very angry with him [for time-wasting] because they can give him a yellow on the line.

“And I think the same applies with Khama Biliat. I took him out because he’s got a yellow and I need him in Alexandria‚ and I need a goal there.

“And I took Kekana out also‚ because he’s got a yellow. So those substitutes – thank God we scored three goals‚ so I just took out people on a yellow. There were no tactics.” - TMG Digital

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