Mngqithi refuses to rule out Shalulile ahead of sizzling Sundowns-Pirates MTN8 semi-final

Mamelodi Sundowns co-coach Manqoba Mngqithi has not given up hope that star forward Peter Shalulile will be available for Saturday's MTN8 semi-final second leg against Orlando Pirates.

Ahead of the clash, Sundowns coaches Rulani Mokwena and Mngqithi revealed that Shalulile had seen various specialists. However, unlike Mokwena, a more optimistic Mngqithi has hinted at the possibility of their star man featuring against Pirates. 

READ | 'People called him a plumber': Hunt is winning again and reinventing himself at old stomping ground

"To be honest I would not like to talk much about our players in our camp," Mngqithi told reporters. 

"The truth is, the only thing I'm happy about is that we tried to see how the team can perform without Peter in the past three matches. And in those matches we scored 16 goals and for us that is very important.   

"As to whether he will be part of this one or not, at this stage I cannot be sure. We did rest him over the last two or three matches because we also want to have him as fresh as possible.  

"He might come in as a big surprise for this match. It's very difficult to say whether he's in or out because the specialists have to give a call in that space, so we have to wait and see what comes out from the specialists." 

With the tie evenly poised at 0-0, Mngqithi could no doubt use a player of Shalulile's quality against a team who prevented them from scoring in the first leg.  

Mngqithi believes that the second leg will be tougher as the change of shape in the previous game from the Buccaneers makes them an unpredictable prospect. this time around.  

"We are playing a tough match against a team that has improved leaps and bounds and they are a team that made sure we didn't score a goal in their