Mngqithi Admits That Dhludhlu Gave Modiba And Mashego No Time To Breathe
Mamelodi Sundowns coach Manqoba Mngqithi has admitted that Marumo Gallants winger Thapelo Dhludhlu gave Aubrey Modiba and Terence Mashego no time to rest on Sunday.
Sundowns won 2-0 in the Semi-final of the Carling Knockout to book themselves in the final of this competition on Sunday. Lucas Ribeiro scored a ‘cheeky’ penalty while Neo Maema scored the second goal, who was assisted by Kutlwano Letlhaku.
Mngqithi started with Modiba as the left-back but substituted him in the second half for Mashego. According to Mngqithi, Dhludhlu was giving Modiba a problem, so he decided to substitute him for Mashego.
“[The reason why we introduced Mashego] we felt we must go speed for speed because that Dhludhlu is a handful, and we knew they were going to look for a lot of switches to find him so that he will give them verticality and dribbles and try to go in,” Mngqithi said.
“So, we felt that way at that time because Aubrey had already had a long first half against the same guy. So, we thought Terrence maybe will match him and I think he did that very well. “There was one or two situations where he [Mashego] had won the ball but made a mistake and gave it to them, and they still managed to go in. But otherwise, I think he did exactly what we expected from him.”
Following Sundowns’ victory, Dhludhlu’s Gallants were eliminated in the Carling Knockout and they will now focus on the Betway Premiership and Nedbank Cup. The Nedbank Cup will start next year and they will be hoping to make it through to the final as they wanted to do that in the Carling Knockout.
Meanwhile, Mngqithi also revealed that he always enjoys playing in Bloemfontein because of the Bloemfontein Celtic fans who always fill up the Stadium.
The Umzimkhulu-born tactician also concluded that it would be nice if the final was going to be played at Dr Molemela Stadium because the pitch of the Toyota Stadium is not good.
“It’s always nice to play in Bloemfontein because of the atmosphere that you’ll get from Bloemfontein [Celtic fans],” Mngqithi said. “It’s just that I’m not sure of the quality of the pitch of the stadium where the final will be played. I think this pitch [Dr. Molemela Stadium] was much better than where the final is going to be played based on the history that I have of the Bloemfontein Stadiums.
“But otherwise, I like this environment because you are guaranteed supporters even if whoever you are playing against. Celtic supporters will always come and I like the way they have raised, even Marumo in the City.”
The Brazilians will be playing against the newly promoted team, Magesi in the final of the Carling Knockout on Saturday, 23 November.
This game will be at Toyota Stadium and it will be the first time these two sides face each other this season.
Dhludhlu’s Gallants on the other side will return to the field after the final of the Carling Knockout. Bahlabane Ba Ntwa will be playing against SuperSport United at Lucas Moripe Stadium on Friday, 29 November.
