Coach Manqoba Delivers MTN8 First Leg Verdict

Mamelodi Sundowns ended their first leg of the MTN8 semi-final with a 0-0 draw away in Soweto. The Brazilians controlled most of the second half proceedings in Soweto as they look to defend the the domestic trophy, Coach Manqoba Mngqithi expressed his experience of the cup after the games he said:

“It was a very interesting game for the spectators, the unfortunate part is that we didn’t give them any goals but tactically I think it was a game of very small margins, and those marginal games could have played in our favor had we used them very well.” 

“[We were] unfortunate not to have had shots on target. Statistically looking at the metrics, one thing that we really ran short of is to try and put balls on targets, and also to use those small margins of cutbacks.”

The hosts showed determination and character in the opening half of the clash, taking on more shots at goal as both teams looked to find an opener to settle into the game. By the end of the first half of proceedings Masandawana recorded a 58% ball possession, however, the lack of attempts at goal proved to be worrying to Coach Manqoba.

“It’s very rare, that’s why I am saying this was a game of small margins because  if you look at the first chance by Ronwen [Williams] to Peter [Shalulile], leaving that ball to just go through and go straight to face the goalkeeper, it’s a clear chance to take a shot and score. The same thing happened with [Khuliso] Mudau, two moments in the opposite side with no one next to him, but balloons both crossed over the bar and it’s a very rare scenario for us to not have shots on targets when we had created so many moments that should have resulted in shots at goal.” said Coach Manqoba.

The South African Champion coach concluded by giving Orlando Pirates a round of applause for their yena iyu and challenge that awaits at the end of the season, Coach Manqoba said:

“One must also give credit to Orlando Pirates, they played very well, they were very smart in their approach, in possession they would allow us to come into their half and they are very strong in transition, they did that very well and from build up they wanted to upset us a lot some time with a high press but from time to time we would come out.”

 

14 Responses
  1. Dalom

    Just admit that you’re badly failing coach. The three of you are all small-team coaches. We have no plan B in our games, just one dimension all the way till the finish. Once we conceed first, we hardly come back and win the game, an indication of a lack of tactical astute from the bench. Another thing is just signing “stars”, and not players who’re suitable for the job and the style of play for Sundowns, unless if someone from the top is signing players without your input

    1. Mzimela

      No coaches at Sundowns bigger mistake was to give Manqoba final words To me Steve was supposed to be head as from team goes backwards Sundowns was very closer to win 2nd stars look whats happened shipping out good players destabilize foundation started with Kekana .Nascimento Romeo Lakay whos next will be Morena .Coetze.Maboe to me Lakay.much better than Modibe if says age i don’t buy that why Larani recruited last season is older than Lakay whats about Onyango and Mweene just like preference Madau than Morena he just balloon ball that favouritism really destroying team in come 2 season Sundowns will be laughing stock

  2. David Tshwane

    Coach, it’s like our players don’t understand that football is therapy to us the fans. They don’t play with determination.I mean what Mudau did was uncalled for. Two clear chance miss. He should have convert one at least.

    Zungu was thrown in to deep end. He still not match fit.Why play him in a big temperament game like this. Zwane was promising but was substitute.Kutumela and Mudau didn’t bring anything on the table but continue playing.

    I hope you now know how Pirates play and we must ambush them in Polokwane. A Draw is like a loose to us and a win to all teams playing against Downs. Our blood ramain yellow and please do us proud.👆👆👆

  3. Mzimela

    No coaches at Sundowns bigger mistake was to give Manqoba final words To me Steve was supposed to be head as from team goes backwards Sundowns was very closer to win 2nd stars look whats happened shipping out good players destabilize foundation started with Kekana .Nascimento Romeo Lakay whos next will be Morena .Coetze.Maboe to me Lakay.much better than Modibe if says age i don’t buy that why Larani recruited last season is older than Lakay whats about Onyango and Mweene just like preference Madau than Morena he just balloon ball that favouritism really destroying team in come 2 season Sundowns will be laughing stock

  4. Mfana

    Manitoba &Rulani it’s high time for a change of tune, you’ve been making excuses after excuse now and starting to boil to everyone.You are getting a vote of no confidence to every supporter.I said it previously that u r a bunch of liars,because you said Nasir was sick with a bout of flu,now its more than a month &now Nasir is injured wow.Again the strongest line up is always on the bench if Saavedra,Sirino and Allende are available why put the 3 of them on the bench?Again to us it seems as if the first 45 minutes will go to waist because of the way u select the 11 players.In actuality if u r putting Maema,Mokoen&Kutumela what r u expecting?Mudau is winning a lot of defensive duels but needs to keep his cool when it comes to crosses and picking up the spot or scoring, otherwise he is a great defender,runner&header of the ball of which he differs with Morena, and in actual fact Morena doesn’t defend at all&on that we have to differ whether u like it or not.Coaches change this CD it’s scratching

  5. muzi kunene

    Mr Tebogo Mokoena sir I’m begging you pls give us those beautiful shots you used to take while you’re still at S.United it seems you are afraid to commit yourself since you came to Downs or you’re being restricted by the WisemenI don’t know.
    Give Shalulile a striking partner don’t overload him the poor guy defends opponents set pieces and at the same time we expect him to always on a good scoring position its too much for him.

  6. Mfana

    There’s nothing as annoying as not to have a shot on target as a big team as Sundowns, wow I rest my case.A Zungu whose playing on the space of Tebogo Mokoena and an Andile Jali bossing the middle of the park will mean a more relaxed Sirino &Themba Zwane that will lead to an unisolated&frustrated Shalulile, try that combination knowing that Nasir &Allende will come on the second half with more different dimension not forgetting Mailula who is our future replacement to Zwane as a playmaker.You have plenty of options &pool of players to choose from, don’t act dumb here,other coaches are finding difficult to make the ends meet but on your side you are making nice excuses.But let me be fair minus the goals that we didn’t see that was a good display of soccer,we have been beating Pirates left right &centre God loves us all,Orlando Pirates are also the children of God we don’t have the Divine rights to win every encounter against Pirates.

  7. jimmy

    Something big is happening at our beloved Sundowns ,all is not well and many followers can see it .it is not the playing staff, but the management . if Thlopie is a gud chairman he needs to intervene as soon as possible before something hits the fan .

  8. muzi kunene

    Coach its no use to cry about no shorts on target after the game whereas during the game you’re just glued on your chair not even shouting at the players.
    Ever since ai know Downs their first eleven consists of skillfully players but you closed to benched them and even put them on grandstand I’m talking about players like Mbule,Ralani,Mkhulise and Kapinga etc,the above players can lock any stubborn defence and that’s where you’ll see plenty of shorts on target and lastly we’re told Nasir has got a bout of flu suddenly he is injured I guess our Wisemen don’t like this player the way I see it but I stand to be corrected., Kutumela must be released amicable and don’t forget my Wisemen its cold outside Downs and this privileges of signing whoever you want to sign irrespective of the prize you won’t get it from other teams that’s just a warning.

  9. DOWNS4EVER

    I’m very much happy members see that all is not well at our beloved Downs,those two coaches are slowly killing our team.Players don’t have freedom of expression on the pitch,we have very skillful players but are limited to playing European style,you just can’t read soccer in the book and expect it to be smooth sailing in the pitch.Good coaches improve the weaknesses of a play and sharpen what the player already has instead of making them do a completely new thing all together.They have completely destroyed Maema,when he arrived at Downs he was sharp,lethal and linking well with Shaulile,most of Shaulile’s goal were from Maema,now you ca’t tell if he is going or coming,he can’t even pass nor shoot.Mokoena said it is difficult to introduce young players at Downs yet we see young players at Man City,Real Madrid,Arsenal and even in European National teams.Foden and Haaland both scored 3 goals each over the weekend,yet someone is got to tell us nonsense that is not easy at Downs.Mailula and Phewa are way better than Kutumela,but they are not going to be given fair chance because of their age.There is this rumor that Lakay was released because leading the players who were against those coaches.if that’s the case i don’t blame them because you can’t just let coaches make you play bad football when he can’t even trap the ball himself.Someone forgot that he was loaned the other one failed at Amazulu and Chippa.

    1. Mzimela

      If Sundowns supporters not taking action now they will wake up too late special PTA supporters these two coaches will take team down sea these are failures 1 have bad record coach loan out other been dismissed all previous team Mnqoba and must go

  10. Skhumba

    We have got too many similar players in the midfield. According there was no need to release Safranko at all. He gave us different dimension going forward. Releasing 2 strikers at go and replacing them with midfielders it does not make sense at all. Gift Motoupa should be called in to play with Shalulile since Nasir we are told is injured or is down with flu! Kutumela is not giving us nothing so Gift should be brought back to the playing squad.

  11. Skhumba

    These coaches have destroyed Maema! This boy enjoys attacking football and the he is one who was supplying Shalulile with good balls! Now we are told that tactical he is doing a good job by Rulani Mokoena yet the boy is just confused in the middle of the park! He cannot shoot and he is just a passenger in the field running like headless chicken!

  12. Zipho

    @Skhumba I agree with u 100% there,Maema is winger,he was very effective last season playing as a winger,now Rulani has confused the poor boy with his useless complicated tactics,its Domingo who should b playing in that position,NOT Maema……our players should stop complicating things unnecessarily,and do away with favouritism