SuperSport United interim coach Andre Arendse lauded Vincent Pule and youngster Neo Rapoo for their gutsy performances in the hard-fought 1-1 draw to Polokwane City.
Christian Saile put Matsatsantsa into a 19th minute lead at the old Peter Mokaba Stadium ahead of a 39th minute equaliser from the penalty spot from Lebohang Nkaki.
The result left SuperSport in 14th place on the league standings with 23 points from 23 games – level with 15th-placed Cape Town City, although with two games in hand.
Arendse’s side will need to put in some more big performances if the are to avoid slipping into the relegation/promotions, with games against Chippa United, Stellenbosch and Richards Bay to come in the next few weeks.
Arendse explained the importance of a strong display from Pule and 19-year-old Rapoo.
He said on iDiski Times: “Pule, he was missing that Pule of note that we know and I said this to him on a training ground and that’s the Pule we know.
“That’s the one I know. You know, he said to me his best position is on wide-right, inverted, coming inside. That’s what he did so well today, whether he was having shots at goal or whether he was putting in passes in crosses or threading passes through, fantastic.”
The SuperSport boss added: “The biggest decision and I had to make a very, very difficult decision where Neo Rapoo is concerned.
“So he’s going to be missing the opening game tomorrow for the U20 AFCON because I had to keep him back for this game.
“He understood that and today he showed why I kept him back and the importance that he brought to the team from a defensive perspective and also from a set piece delivery perspective, corners and free-kicks. And he was fantastic.
“In fact, I felt that we should have got one or two more headed goals from his delivery from wide areas. And so, I’m so happy that he proved me right, that I had to keep him back and now he can go and join up with the team. So that for me 100% correct the two of them very influential for the team today.”