Sundowns coach Manqoba remains calm and confident

Betway Premiership champions Mamelodi Sundowns were expected to beat Congo’s Union Maniema in Tshwane on Tuesday, but the result was a draw that felt like a defeat.

MAMELODI SUNDOWNS HELD AT HOME

Speaking to the media after the game, coach Manqoba Mngqithi said he is confident he will win the upcoming away games, and therefore, no panic buttons should be pushed.

“To be straightforward in this group, I think we have more potential to win more matches away from home, I see it like that, I also see us winning some matches at home, at this stage I’ve not pressed any panic buttons,” said the Sundowns mentor at the post-match conference, as quoted by iDiski Times.

“I think it could have been catastrophic to have lost this match after losing the final. Going into this match with all the problems we had, look at the number of days, the number of matches and how much of a change we had to make, based on the physiological challenges we had,” he explained.

“I strongly believe if we were to take out all those underlying circumstances, maybe in this match we could have been even far stronger than what we were and be that as it may, I still believe the group that played today, also gave a good account of themselves.

“It’s just that final decisions, that final touches and maybe not taking advantage of some good breaks we got, we had a 2v1, and no shot at goal, things like that are the ones that will infuriate you. But the truth of the matter, there’s a lot of positives to take out, under the circumstances,” the Sundowns tactician concluded.

VISIT FROM SEKHUKHUNE UNITED

In the meantime, Mngqithi has a Betway Premiership game to focus on. Sekhukhune United will visit the Loftus Versfeld Stadium on Saturday at 20:00.

CAN MAMELODI SUNDOWNS WIN THE CAF CHAMPIONS LEAGUE THIS SEASON?

Let us know by clicking on the comment tab below this article or by emailing info@thesouthafrican.com. You can also send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1. Follow @TheSAnews on X and The South African on Facebook for the latest news.