Downs ‘stifled’ Amakhosi threat

Mamelodi Sundowns co-head coach Manqoba Mngqithi explained how his side stifled the attacking threat of Kaizer Chiefs in the second half, though they still only managed a 1-1 draw with Amakhosi at FNB Stadium on Sunday.

Chiefs were left ruing a late penalty from Keagan Dolly, which drew a brilliant save from Reyaad Pieterse in the Sundowns goal.

Amakhosi put up one of their better displays of the season and might have grabbed all three points, though it must be said Sundowns had already comfortably wrapped up the DStv Premiership title.

“I thought it was a very interesting match for the spectators, maybe it was short of goals...but it was interesting, it could have gone either way,” Mngqithi told SuperSport after the game.

“In the first half we did not create too many chances, though we played well and in the second half we posed a threat.

“In the first half the mistake we made was when they took the ball in midfield, they were looking for transitional moments, and we were playing a lot of balls into the heart of the midfield. The moment we went into the wide channels with Aubrey (Ngoma) and Divine, it demanded a bit more defensive work from Dolly, (Khama) Billiat and (Lazarous) Kambole, and they were no longer a threat going forward.”

Peter Shalulile did draw a brilliant first half save from Chiefs keeper Bruce Bvuma, but was unable to add to his 22 league goals this season, and has just two matches left to equal or pass Collins Mbesuma’s Premier Soccer League record of 25 goals.

Chiefs now have little chance of finishing second and qualifying for Caf Champions League, as they are five points behind Cape Town City, with two games to play.