Downs’ stars ready to shine brighter than Galaxy
HAVING had time to recover during their Christmas break, Mamelodi Sundowns are set to finish off their Caf Champions League preliminary round qualifier in style against Jwaneng Galaxy this afternoon.
Fresh from having spent time with their loved ones during the festive season, the Brazilians returned to competitive action over the weekend, beating Orlando Pirates 1-0 in the Premiership to consolidate their spot at the summit of the standings after nine matches.
But coach Manqoba Mngqithi was left with a bitter taste in his mouth after his team failed to capitalise on several chances, saying: “I still think we were in a bit of a Christmas mode. I think we could have scored a lot of goals in this match.”
With a match under their belts, accompanied by a handful of training sessions, Sundowns are tipped to return to their best against Galaxy, who they beat 2-0 in the first leg away at Lobatse Stadium, thanks to goals from Peter Shalulile and Mothobi Mvala.
Shalulile and Mvala, who were signed from Highlands Park at the end of last season, made their respective debuts in the Pan-African competition against Galaxy. They have both fitted in nicely in Sundowns set-up this season.
Shalulile added another accolade to his handful of man-of-the-match awards against Pirates. The 27-yearold striker has contributed with five goals and two assists in 11 matches at Sundowns, playing a huge supportive
role to strikers Kermit Erasmus and Themba Zwane.
“Peter is one of those rare breeds,” Mngqithi said. “We wish, for the kind of money that is paid for our players, they'd have the same mentality of professionalism towards their work (as Shalulile). I regard him as a soldier because he runs for 90 minutes, nonstop.”
“He can press the back four. It is very rare to find someone who can still press everyone, but still be able to give you the same energy in attack when you have possession. For me, he is one of the best buys that we've bought this season.”
Unlike Shalulile who has been a regular at Sundowns from the outset, Mvala made his breakthrough recently, starting the last three matches. But remarkably, the Rio Olympic squad member scored in his first two games.
Mvala scored on debut against Golden Arrows in the league before scoring in his second match, on debut, in the Champions League against Galaxy.
Mngqithi, however, also heaped praise on his team's scorer against the Buccaneers, Brian Onyango.
“Technically, he's sound. He's one of the best passers of the ball. A centre back with speed and that height is very rare to find. He's very quick, defensively,” he said. “Nobody can say he doesn't know what he possesses in set-pieces. He's got all the qualities we expect in a modern centre back.”
Having won the last three matches without influential duo Themba Zwane and Gaston Sirino, Mngqithi was pleased that his troops are all coming to the party, considering the congested fixture list that awaits Sundowns, domestically and in Africa.