PRETORIA, SOUTH AFRICA – OCTOBER 30: Manqoba Mnqgithi, Head coach of Mamelodi Sundowns during the Betway Premiership match between Mamelodi Sundowns and Cape Town City FC at Loftus Versfeld Stadium on October 30, 2024 in Pretoria, South Africa. (Photo by Alche Greeff/Gallo Images)
Mamelodi Sundowns coach Manqoba Mnqgithi bemoaned lamented his side’s failure to stop a former Kaizer Chiefs player in the Carling Knockout.
The Limpopo side secured their first-ever major trophy after coming from behind to defeat to Sundowns 2-1 in the final on Saturday evening.
Read: UPSET: Magesi Stun Sundowns In Knockout Final
The Brazilians tactician revealed giving Edmore Chirambadare time and space was a big error from his side on the day.
“I think we were just unfortunate. I think the universe had called it, because I think we tried everything we could to win the match. We dominated, we were in confrontation with their box regularly, we had a lot of shots at goal and on target,” Mngqithi told SuperSport after the game.
“[Elvis] Chipezeze did very well. There were a few moments I felt maybe the decision-making in the final third, where I thought it could’ve been a pass instead of a shot and shot instead of a pass. Those small details.
“But I think the boys did very well, they did everything that one wanted but we made two critical mistakes. One, we knew we could not give Chirambadare space and time because he’s got a very good left foot and he always puts the ball into the box.
“Most of their goals are coming from Chirambadare, either on set-pieces or crosses from open play and we knew we would not give him time to put the ball into the box and unfortunately we gave him that time.”
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