MANUEL PELLEGRINI was back home in Santiago as his Manchester City team were beaten again in South Africa.
The Chilean boss has had to leave the club’s training camp here in South Africa due to a family issue back at home.
So assistant boss Brian Kidd was back in charge — although Pellegrini had left detailed instructions before he departed.
City looked rusty as they went down 2-0 against Supersport United in Pretoria on Sunday and they got off to a bad start here too.
A disastrous back-pass by Aleksandar Kolarov allowed Bongani Ndulula to steal in and go round Joe Hart before rolling the ball home.
MIL THRILL ... James Milner celebrates his goal
But City hit back quickly and scored their first goal of pre-season.
Scott Sinclair’s cross should have been headed in by Yaya Toure but the Ivorian’s flick on fell nicely for James Milner, who hammered a shot back across the keeper.
It was the English club who looked the more likely winners as Rodwell saw a low shot smartly saved by the AmaZulu keeper.
Edin Dzeko — who has been promised a new start despite City spending £40million on new strikers — saw his chance well saved.
The home team made it a Nelson Mandela Day to remember late on though as Abdul Razak gave away a penalty and Carlington Nyadombo scored from ths spot.
Reports in Chile suggested the 59-year-old had flown home as his mother is seriously ill.
The Chilean boss has had to leave the club’s training camp here in South Africa due to a family issue back at home.
So assistant boss Brian Kidd was back in charge — although Pellegrini had left detailed instructions before he departed.
City looked rusty as they went down 2-0 against Supersport United in Pretoria on Sunday and they got off to a bad start here too.
A disastrous back-pass by Aleksandar Kolarov allowed Bongani Ndulula to steal in and go round Joe Hart before rolling the ball home.
MIL THRILL ... James Milner celebrates his goal
But City hit back quickly and scored their first goal of pre-season.
Scott Sinclair’s cross should have been headed in by Yaya Toure but the Ivorian’s flick on fell nicely for James Milner, who hammered a shot back across the keeper.
It was the English club who looked the more likely winners as Rodwell saw a low shot smartly saved by the AmaZulu keeper.
Edin Dzeko — who has been promised a new start despite City spending £40million on new strikers — saw his chance well saved.
The home team made it a Nelson Mandela Day to remember late on though as Abdul Razak gave away a penalty and Carlington Nyadombo scored from ths spot.
Reports in Chile suggested the 59-year-old had flown home as his mother is seriously ill.