Manqoba Mngqithi, assistant coach of Mamelodi Sundowns during the 2023 MTN8 Final joint press conference for Mamelodi Sundowns and Orlando Pirates at Lime Rooftop in Umhlanga, KwaZulu-Natal on 5 October 2023
The match saw Sundowns showcase several emerging players, including de Oliveira, who recently joined the team from Brazil.
The South African champions concluded their pre-season tour in Austria on a high note, securing a 2-1 victory over the Saudi Pro League side on Friday.
As Sundowns prepare for the new season, significant changes in their technical team has marked a fresh chapter.
With the departure of Rulani Mokwena, the coaching responsibilities now rested on the shoulders of Mngqithi, Steve Komphela, and Romain Folz for the 2024/25 Betway Premiership season.
The defending champions look set to kick off their PSL campaign with an MTN8 Cup clash against Polokwane City at the Lucas Moripe Stadium on August 11.
Reflecting on Friday’s friendly match, Mngqithi shared his satisfaction with the youthful squad’s performance. “I was impressed with the group that started. We had a lot of youngsters in that team.
“I think Kutlwano [Letlhaku] had a good game, Thando [Buthelezi] had a good game, Lesiba [Nku] on the left as the fullback was phenomenal, Zuko [Mdunyelwa] was phenomenal and I think Mali [Malibongwe Khoza] was also outstanding,” he stated.
Mngqithi highlighted the importance of testing these young players against formidable opponents, ensuring they played from the start to assess their capabilities under pressure. “It was good to see these youngsters against big opponents, and starting the game for that matter, not even coming [on] late because I wanted to see them [playing] under pressure,” he added.
The coach also praised the contribution of Arthur Sales, despite acknowledging that the new signing’s conditioning needed improvement to match the team’s intensity. “I was also impressed with [Arthur] Sales coming [on] in that match because we wanted to see what he can give us.
“His conditioning is not at our level in terms of intensity, but the work he is putting in is very clinical and we believe we are going to benefit a lot from him,” Mngqithi explained.
Mngqithi also commended Kodi [Kobamelo Kodisang] for his influence on the right wing, noting his unlucky attempts to score.
The goalkeepers, particularly Sanele Tshabalala, also received praise for their solid performances. “The goalkeepers also didn’t let us down. I think Sanele [Tshabalala] had a very good game. I was impressed when he continued in the second half, and our build-up was good,” he concluded.
As Sundowns look ahead to the new season, the confidence in their young talents and the strategic adjustments in the coaching staff positioned them well for continued success in the Betway Premiership.
