Mamelodi Sundowns coach Manqoba Mngqithi says there is nothing they could have done more in the club’s 2-1 loss to Magesi FC in the Carling Knockout Cup final at Toyota Stadium on Saturday.    

Sundowns dominated the first half and took the lead through Iqraam Rayner’s goal. However, Magesi staged a remarkable comeback in the second half, with goals from Tshepo Kakora and Delano Abrahams.

This means Magesi coach Clinton Larsen has done it again, by beating Sundowns like he did 12 years ago in this competition with Bloemfontein Celtic. At that time, this competition was known as Telkom Knockout. 

 “I think the game came the way we expected it,” said Mngqithi after the game. 

“We knew they would be defending to medium to low block and we knew they were to try and probe as much as we can and no wonder we had 20 shots at goal, but unfortunately, they only had two shots on target and both were goals.

“We knew they are a team that doesn’t need many chances to punish you. The only sad thing is the goals that we conceded because it is areas we worked very hard on the day, we identified and particularly the first goal, we knew Edmore Chirambandare is the most important player for them.  

“But I think we had a complete dominance of the game which we were not surprise and we had possession in very good possessions not necessarily in front of them. I think we had 80 percent possession and so many shots at goals, but unfortunately, I think the universe called this one because I don’t think there is anything much, we could have done to win this match.”  

Despite the loss, Sundowns have to quickly shift their focus to the CAF Champions League, where they host Maniema Union on Tuesday.