Weekend Argus (Saturday Edition)
Sundowns coach sounds caution ahead of Sekhukhune clash
MAMELODI Sundowns will entertain Sekhukhune United at the Peter Mokaba Stadium this afternoon at 3pm, and coach Manqoba Mngqithi has sounded a note of caution ahead of his side’s encounter with their unpredictable opponents.
Babina Noko have made a satisfactory start to their season under Kaitano Tembo, managing a win, a draw and a loss in their opening three matches – the kind of form that provides a great deal of uncertainty for Mngqithi.
“It’s a little bit of a banana skin that needs us to tread very carefully because they are a very formidable side,” he said.
“They’ve played very well, [and] in their last match against Richards Bay they could have easily scored more than five goals. They had some really good chances in that match, so it’s people that we cannot take for granted, people that are working really hard.”
Sekhukhune were one of the busiest clubs in the off-season transfer window, making 16 new signings ahead of the 2022/2023 DStv Premiership campaign.
They added a great deal of experience to their ranks, while also acquiring lethal firepower up front.
Mngqithi believes Sekhukhune have been unlucky not to score more goals with the kind of strikers they’ve brought in.
“They’ve employed the services of some of the best strikers in the country in (Victor) Letsoalo and (Tshegofatso) Mabasa ... Unfortunately (Tashreeq) Morris is suspended for this match,” he said.
“They’re playing a very offensive game with a lot of crosses into the box and creating problems, but unfortunately they have not really scored as many goals as they have created.”
Sekhukhune, like a number of clubs in the league, do not possess a good record against the defending champions, having lost both games by 2-0 last season, but under the stewardship of Tembo, they’re a completely different side to that of the previous campaign.
Sundowns are expected to dominate play and possession like they usually do, but if Babina Noko can follow the TS Galaxy blueprint on how to beat the Brazilians, then spectators might be in for an interesting match.
Mabasa of Sekhukhune revealed that he and his teammates are fired up for this encounter against Downs and promised to leave it all on the pitch in Polokwane.
“I don’t think anyone needs any motivation coming up against the defending champions, so the supporters can expect hunger and desire from beginning to end,” said Mabasa.