Mamelodi Sundowns coach Manqoba Mngqithi explains the reasons behind ditching the style and formation used during Rulani Mokwena’s successful reign with the Tshwane giants.
Masandawana are set to officially kick off their Premier Soccer League (PSL) season under a new regime led by Mngqithi this weekend.
This after the club parted ways with Mokwena who has since joined Wydad Athletic Club of Morocco.
The Choorkop-based outfit gets things underway by hosting Polokwane City in an MTN8 quarterfinal clash at Lucas Moripe Stadium on Sunday at 15:00.
READ: Orlando Pirates’ Jose Riveiro wants to know Mamelodi Sundowns’ top secret to league success
Mngqithi said there will be some changes including implementing a new style of play.
“We have moved away from the 4-4-2 formation to the 4-3-3 (formation) because the squad we have is more suitable for that type of a game,” Mngqithi said during the Pitchside Podcast.
“It’s very quick in breaking the lines, (we have) very quick fullbacks that can help us high and wide with a very good passing range from all our centre-backs, including our central midfielders. They can find anyone, anywhere on the pitch.”
While Mngqithi said the style of football under Mokwena’s leadership helped them not to concede a lot, it wasn’t that dangerous when it comes to attacking.
“I felt like last season we were very strong in ball possession and very strong defensively, but I don’t think we were hurting opponents that much behind their defence,” Mngqithi said.
“Also, we were not using width a lot. So, one had to try and bring that wing element into play, which I think is coming up nicely.
“In all the matches, I think the XG’s were very good in terms of the number of chances we created.”
Sundowns spent a better part of their pre-season in Austria where they played friendly matches against teams such as Dynamo Kyiv, Cardiff City, Al-Hilal, Al Arabi and SV Sandhausen.
Mngqithi has spoken about the importance of the camp overseas and how important it’s going to be in their quest to win the CAF Champions League, defend their league crown and other domestic titles.
Sundowns will also make their second appearance in the FIFA Club World Cup next year.
“I must say the organisation of this trip was much better than the previous one. I think the quality of the pitches we were training in was very good,” Mngqithi said.
“The hotel facilities were also very good and the opposition that we got was far much better than the opposition we got in our previous camp in Holland.
“To be honest, physically we were really tested there but I think it was also a mistake on our side to play that friendly just a day after we arrived from a 24-hour or so flight.
“It was not very easy, and the bodies were still heavy, but it was a good wake-up call for everyone,” he said.
“From there, we went to Kyiv, which was another very big test of character, but the team was showing good signs from training that they were coming up.”
