Newly appointed Mamelodi Sundowns interim coach, Manqoba Mngqithi has shared a glimpse of his tactical philosophy highlighting his love for fast-paced attacking football.  

The KwaZulu-Natal-born tactician was first added to the Downs technical team during the 2013/14 PSL season as an assistant to Pitso Mosimane. 

This after stints with Golden Arrows where he managed demonstrate an extremely attractive style of attacking football, validating the popular Arrows nickname of “Abafana Be’Sthende”, winning them the MTN8 trophy with swashbuckling football.  

Evident in the last two pre-season friendlies in Austria, which they won those games, Downs players seemed to have not taken long in manifesting Mngqithi’s ideal attacking philosophy on the pitch. 

In contrast to former head coach, Rulani Mokwena’s infamous patient build up play, the former Arrows gaffer looks to be determined in turning the tables, insisting on a quicker attacking style.  

“If you have seen the teams that I coach, you will always know that I always like and enjoy faster football, I believe in that type of a game,” said Mngqithi during the MTN8 launch on Wednesday.   

The 53-year-old further detailed his philosophy stating, “The only time I will always ask players to be patient, which does not mean the speed of the ball to be slow, but you are less committed – it’s when we are playing against a low block.”  

The nine-time league champions coach believes faster-paced style that grants more scoring opportunities resulting in more goals as opposed to a patient build-up, which has been The Brazilian’s hallmark attacking style under coach Mokwena, who left to join Wydad Casablanca. 

“Personally, I believe, more especially in South Africa, if you’re going to create two three chances in a match, you might not win. But if you create 10, you might score one,” insists Mngqithi.  

Fueling anticipation and immense curiousness about Sundowns’ upcoming season, Mnqithi closed off with a rather puzzling statement.  

“So, in my opinion, or how I see football, you have to try to in as much as you play ball possession, but you must play attacking football, and there is a very clear difference between possession football and attacking football.” 

Sundowns will kick off their 2024/25 season when they host Polokwane City in the MTN8 next weekend at Lucas Moripe Stadium.