Ndlondlo defends Marumo Gallants tactics after Mngqithi’s negative football jibe

Gallants edged Arrows on penalties at the weekend after a 2-2 draw in regulation time to book their place in the final and Mngqithi was not impressed. 

Speaking on Metro FM’s Sports Night Amplified with Andile Ncube, Ndlondlo backed his coach’s game plan, saying the decision to sit deep in the closing stages was tactical rather than timid. 

"In that game if you can check towards the end of the game we were a bit struggling because we couldn't keep the ball. So, coach told us that we if we cannot score or maybe get a chance, let's absorb the pressure that they are bring to us so that we can be able to push it to penalties if it goes there because we know that we have Washington Arubi that is going to save penalties,” Ndlondlo said.

“So, he did exactly and we were fortunate enought to pull through and win through penalties."

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Ndlondlo was adamant that cup fixtures often require a different approach, especially when Gallants have a goalie the caliber of Washington Arubi. 

"One thing people should remember a league game and a cup game is not the same, so you shouldn't have the same approach as to how you approach the league and the cup competition,” he explained.

“I think that was one of the tactics we needed to have for the game. The history that he has with saving penalties, it tells and you can even check even from the Marumo days when we played semi-final against Sundowns in the Nedbank Cup, he also saved penalties there then we went on to win that Nedbank Cup. 

“So, even on this Carling Cup tournament we've been having a great one when it comes to penalties as well even during the game because he makes crucial saves that keep us in the game. 

“So, for us not to have that faith in him, it will be unfair to him and it's something that he does week in, week out during training when it comes to cup games where by we train matchday minus one, we'll do penalties and he'll save them. So, our belief builds from there going to the games as well."