Smiso Msomi
MAMELODI Sundowns head coach Manqoba Mngqithi has sounded the warning signs for his team as they finalise preparations for the MTN8 meeting with cup-hungry Stellenbosch.
The Brazilians will play Stellies over two legs in the semi-finals of the Wafa Wafa competition, in a bid to make the final and face either Orlando Pirates or Cape Town City in the final.
It's matchweek and we're getting ready! 🏃#Sundowns #MTN8 #RabatsenaGape pic.twitter.com/bDxpHjDZ7Z
— Mamelodi Sundowns FC (@Masandawana) August 26, 2024
The first leg will take place at the Lucas Moripe Stadium tomorrow at 7pm, a clash that is expected to have fireworks before the two teams meet again in the return leg in Durban.
Sundowns are looking to win just their second MTN8 crown following their triumph in the 2021/22 season. However, standing in their way is the unpredictable force that is a Stellies wave of energetic youngsters and their explosive enthusiasm.
Speaking ahead of the first leg, Mngqithi was not shy to admit that the characteristics of Stellies took him back to his 2009 MTN8-winning Golden Arrows side. He explained the importance of his side being aware of the threat the speed of Stellenbosch posed, and said they had been plotting a way to neutralise it.
“We are playing a team that plays slightly differently (to others),” he said.
“They remind me a lot of my Golden Arrows team — very dangerous off the ball, a team that pushes you to take care of the ball, they're very dangerous on counter-attacks and that's most likely where you're going to be caught, so the defence has to be on point.”
Sundowns’ last competitive match was the MTN quarter-final clash with Polokwane City which, incidentally, was also Mngqithi’s only match as head coach this season.
Although with visible pre-empted changes to Sundowns, the Brazilians were guilty of uncharacteristically missing quite a few chances and needed extra time to dispose of Rise and Shine.
Mngqithi played down the impact of those misses but instead reiterated that Sundowns continued to sharpen their arsenal ahead of what is expected to be a testing season for the Chloorkop-based outfit.
“I did not think there was much to be done from the chances we didn't take in the first match because when you hit the upright twice from chances where it was just the goalkeeper to beat, those could've gone either way,” he said.
“I kept my faith in the team, but obviously we work very hard on our attacking schemes and ensure that we create the kind of pictures we expect to see in the game so that when those pictures come, we are able to execute. And from what I've seen in the friendly matches, I'm excited going into another game.”
The new-look Sundowns technical team are under pressure to deliver more than the league title and African Football League (AFL) from last season.
Following their MTN8 and Nedbank Cup final losses last season, the Brazilians are eager to go one step further this time around.