Stellenbosch’s pace up front is a major concern for Mamelodi Sundowns coach Manqoba Mngqithi ahead of Wednesday’s MTN8 first leg of the semi final at Lucas Moripe Stadium (19:30).

Mngqithi, who replaced Rulani Mokwena as head coach, says Stellenbosch’s attacking style reminds him of his Golden Arrows team from over a decade ago. To counter this threat, Mngqithi emphasizes the importance of controlling the game and preventing Stellenbosch from creating scoring opportunities.

“We are playing against a team that plays slightly different, a team that reminds me a little bit of my old Golden Arrows team, very dangerous off the ball,” said Mngqithi. 

“It’s a team that you have to always take care of the ball and make sure that whenever there are possibilities to take care of the ball and whenever you have numerical superiorities and punish and try to terminate the attacks because if you don’t terminate attacks and they spill over to the attacks, they are very dangerous there.  

“Our rest defense has to be always on point because that’s where you are most likely going to be caught. We are playing against a team that is strong in set pieces more special with Andre de Jong in attack and Fawaaz Basadien has a very good delivery, so these are areas we are concerned about.  

“The front there, they have Bradley Mojela, they have got Devin Titus, they have Sanele Barns and probably still settling in to the team. So, we know what is expected and we think we are prepared for it.”  

Sundowns have already acquired one of Stellenbosch’s key players, Iqraam Rayners, who scored 15 league goals last season. Rayners proved to be a thorn in Sundowns’ side in the Nedbank Cup quarterfinals in the 2022/23 season, scoring twice and ending Mokwena’s side unbeaten run of 24 matches.

Mngqithi’s comparison to his Arrows team is apt, as Arrows were known for their attacking prowess, famously defeating Cape Town Spurs 6-0 in the MTN8 in the 2009/10 season.

Their speed and efficiency left Spurs helpless.

“I think I was the first one to win the MTN8!” said Mngqithi, who was mistaken as Kaizer Chiefs was the first team to win the MTN8 in 2008 when they beat Sundowns on penalty shootouts when the telecommunication replaced the commercial bank Absa.  

“I think again we are going to be the first one to win with a prize money of R10 million (which was increase from R8 million to R10 million ahead of this season).”