Manqoba Mngqithi, the head coach of Mamelodi Sundowns, has commented on his team’s 2-1 loss against SuperSport United on Friday night.
Masandawana lost for the second time this season in the DStv Premiership, which was a redemption for Gavin Hunt’s team, who were eliminated from the MTN8 by the same Sundowns last Sunday.
Mngqithi claims that they produced more chances to score than in their last match against the Swanky guys.
Mngqithi told SuperSport TV, “I simply believe we were extremely wasteful tonight. In the first half, we created a lot of opportunities, significantly more than in the last games.”
“However, we just weren’t clinical enough and were very lethargic defensively, allowing crosses to come into the box and still not taking the people on the far side. We knew that every time they break out, they’ll go to the channel, but the good news is that we’ll have someone trying to immediately put pressure on the ball.
“However, if you still let a cross from there, you know that the other side is wide open, and our center-backs did not pick up on it very well.”
“THAPELO WAS CAPTURED”
Thapelo Morena, right-back for Mamelodi Sundowns – Photo: Facebook – Mamelodi Sundowns
Bafana Ba Style’s trainer was slightly critical of Thapelo Morena, believing that he enabled crosses from opponents to do damage in Ronwen Williams’ box.
“On the first goal, I believe Thapelo Morena was also caught sleeping. In the second half, he again permitted a cross on the other side,” he continued.
“He took things for granted; he believed the ball was going out, so he and his teammates relaxed, which is why we were penalized.
“However, in all honesty, I believe we were just inefficient in this match, and not because we were significantly worse. If you examine our things, you will see all of our averages and the opportunities we made.
“Everything indicates that you should have won the match based on the quantity of shots on goal, but you were undisciplined and gave your opponents time in your box to cross. And you know that they are a crossing squad, so there will always be issues.”