DURBAN, SOUTH AFRICA – SEPTEMBER 01: Manqoba Mngqithi, head coach of Mamelodi Sundowns during the MTN8, Semi Final, 2nd Leg match between Stellenbosch FC and Mamelodi Sundowns at Moses Mabhida Stadium on September 01, 2024 in Durban, South Africa. (Photo by Darren Stewart/Gallo Images)
Mamelodi Sundowns head coach Manqoba Mngqithi has revealed where the team must improve after defeating SuperSport United in their Betway Premiership opener.
Second-half goals from Iqraam Rayners and Lucas Costa Ribeiro secured the bragging rights for the defending league champions on Tuesday.
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The Brazilians tactician was not too pleased with how the side were wasteful in front of goal, having created numerous chances.
“That’s one area of our game that must still improve, I think we’re not ruthless enough, we create very good chances and for whatever reason,” Mngqithi told SuperSport after the game.
This pitch today was very slippery and we lost good opportunities from very good moments.
“But we’re hoping that the team will improve because we must start converting those chances that we create,” he said.
Mngqithi also explained the decision to introduce Themba Zwane, Tashreeq Matthews and Aubrey Modiba at the same time after the hour mark.
“The plan was to try and play a more creative game in the second-half, because we could see the space that we’re getting in the midfield,” he added.
“We were losing the ball too cheap, that’s why we had to go for more creative players in Aubrey [Modiba], Mshishi [Zwane], Tash [Matthews] and [Thembinkosi] Lorch, because we wanted players who were a little bit mobile to help us to play.”
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