Soccer

Mngqithi sizes up Pirates ahead of MTN8 showdown



Manqoba Mngqithi says Mamelodi Sundowns’ expertise within the Caf Champions League has taught them to by no means look ahead to the second-leg to carry out. 

Masandawana are in Soweto to tackle Orlando Pirates within the first-leg of the MTN8 semifinal and the Downs mentor insists that they need to do their greatest within the first tie.

“We aren’t going there to sit down again and watch them play in entrance of us, it’s not what we’re meaning to do. We aren’t going to Orlando to attempt to come again with a draw and hope to win the second-leg. 

ALSO READ: Riveiro sings Erasmus praises ahead of Sundowns clash

“We are too experienced in that space of two-legged affairs. We will give it our best shot and if we bring our A-game and the hunger, I think we will do well,” mentioned the Sundowns co-head coach.

Mngqithi has analysed the Buccaneers as a group that does properly with out the ball, and with Masandawana being a ball-playing facet, the Sundowns mentor isn’t certain how Pirates will strategy the sport however doesn’t anticipate Jose Riveiro’s facet to sit down again completely.

“There is a lot of positive work that has been done at Pirates, you can never take that for granted. But the statistics say they are still a transitional team and they are a team that does better when they don’t have much of the ball,” mentioned Mngqithi.

“But they’re enjoying at house in entrance of their supporters and they’re anticipated to take management of the sport and it could be embarrassing for them in the event that they don’t have the ball at house. 

“It’s a catch 22 situation because the games that they have won are games where they had less possession of the ball. It will be an interesting game and I am looking forward to a nice game of football with lots of goals,” he added.

ALSO READ: Sundowns looking to rediscover scoring touch against Pirates

Mngqithi went on to stress on Downs’ want to maintain the MTN8 trophy at Chloorkop however added that they can’t underestimate the Sea Robbers’ starvation for silverware.

“We have not played Pirates this season so we don’t know what they can offer in this match. All we want is to make sure that we go to the next stage of the competition. We need to tread very carefully and we know that Pirates won’t be an easy assignment but we have to do our work with humility. We are not entitled to win in Orlando.”


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