Sunday World (South Africa)

We were just caught napping, says Mngqithi

Sundowns do not seem as impressive as last season

- By Kgomotso Mokoena

Mamelodi Sundowns are not going to have a stroll in the park in the PSL, as it was the case in the past few seasons. This comes after they lost their second league match against SuperSport United on Friday night.

The Brazilians were nailed 2-1 by Matsatsant­sa a Pitori at Lucas Moripe Stadium in Atteridgev­ille.

Uncharacte­ristically of them, Sundowns have already dropped eight points in the six league games they have played.

They are not looking as menacing as they were in the past season, where at this stage of the season they were cruising and slaying teams nonchalant­ly.

The defending league champions wasted several scoring opportunit­ies and were awful in defence and this left coach Manqoba Mngqithi unimpresse­d.

“We were very wasteful against Supersport and we created a lot of chances in the first half. We were not clinical enough and were very lethargic defensivel­y, and our centre-backs did not stick to their men in the first goal and I think Thapelo Morena was also caught napping. Truth be told, we were just caught napping,” said Mngqithi.

Credit must go to Supersport coach Gavin Hunt who had a brilliant game plan his players stuck to.

“We hope that we can get two players at least before the window closes. Conceding that late goal left a bitter taste. We have a young squad, and they need to be patient a little bit,” said Hunt.

Sundowns will get a chance to redeem themselves when they face Chippa United on Wednesday in Gqeberha while United will play on Friday against Maritzburg United in Pietermari­tzburg.

 ?? ./Mamelodi Sondowns ?? Abubeker Nasir of Mamelodi Sundows with the ball during their 2-1 defeat against Supersport
./Mamelodi Sondowns Abubeker Nasir of Mamelodi Sundows with the ball during their 2-1 defeat against Supersport

Newspapers in English

Newspapers from South Africa