Bullish Mngqithi: We Will Be In The Semi-final Of CL
Mamelodi Sundowns coach Manqoba Mngqithi remains bullish, saying his team is getting there and soon they will be unstoppable.
The former Golden Arrows coach even vowed that they would reach the semi-final of the CAF Champions League for the third time in a row.
The Brazilians played their first game of the group stages in the Champions League on Tuesday at home, but they were held to a draw against the Congolese side AS Maniema Union.
Only captain Ronwen Williams, Grant Kekana, Teboho Mokoena, and Lucas Ribeiro managed to start on Tuesday to the team that started in the final against Magesi at Toyota Stadium in Bloemfontein.
However, Mngqithi believes that Al Ahly, Esperance de Tunis, and his side will be in the semi-final of this competition this season and soon they will be unplayable.
“We will have these teams – Sundowns, Al Ahly, and Esperance in the last four of the Champions League,” Mngqithi said after the game.
“I think where we are now we were very unfortunate with the FIFA break and the final immediately after that. But our players are fresh and now we are getting closer and closer to our combinations that one wanted to…
“I think now it’s getting closer probably starting to know who is in our starting eleven and soon we’ll be unstoppable. I’m very happy that almost every player that we have has had enough minutes in his legs. Everybody is confident that he can contribute towards the success of the club.”
The former Chippa United coach also said that his team struggles to defend set pieces and they still need to work hard on that, especially in the Champions League.
In the final of the Carling Knockout last week they conceded the second goal through a set piece. “Teams with 30% or 20% ball possession, normally are very strong on set pieces. This one [Maniema] in particular is very terrific on set pieces. They did not hurt us but believe me this one is very, very dangerous on set pieces,” Mngqithi added.
“In the Champions League, we must pay more attention to set pieces and areas that we are really concerned about because the goals that we’ve conceded, not only the goal we conceded in the final came from set pieces.
“We have to look very closely at that and that is an area where we are still very far sometimes. But I think the reaction was very, very better today [Tuesday] and it can be better still.”
Sundowns are now set to face Sekhukhune United on Saturday in the Betway Premiership at Loftus Stadium. In the Champions League, they will play their second game against the Moroccan giant AS FAR next month away.
