sportskeeda
Mamelodi Sundowns head coach Manqoba Mngqithi has expressed his dissatisfaction with his team’s display following a goalless draw against AS Maniema Union in their CAF Champions League opener at Loftus Stadium on Tuesday.
Despite dominating the match and creating numerous scoring chances, the Brazilians were unable to find the back of the net, resulting in both teams sharing the points with the Congolese side.
Sundowns, who held a commanding 76% possession, attempted 17 shots on goal, with five being on target, and won 11 corners during the encounter. However, they found it difficult to breach AS Maniema Union’s resolute defense, thanks to the impressive performance of goalkeeper Brudel Efonge.
Mngqithi noted that the draw was not solely a result of missed opportunities but also due to a lack of effort from certain players.
“I have concerns about one or two individuals who I felt did not exert enough effort. The rest of the team played with great commitment,” Mngqithi commented.
“I was impressed with our defense; their performance was commendable. In midfield, I felt Tebza (Tebogo Mokoena) made a significant impact and handled Kitambala (Jephte) well.”
While the coach acknowledged the contributions of key players, he did not hesitate to highlight his concerns about the perceived lack of intensity from some team members.
“There were many talented players, but those I feel need to be addressed are the ones whose effort and intensity I questioned because that’s often where mistakes occur,” he added.
The Brazilians had several promising opportunities, including crucial counterattacks, but were unable to convert them. According to Mngqithi, the team’s difficulties in capitalizing on critical moments was a recurring issue during the match.
“Nonetheless, I still believe the group that played demonstrated their capabilities well,” the coach remarked.
“It was just about those finishing touches and not taking full advantage of opportunities. There were encouraging breaks, like a two-on-one situation, yet we couldn’t even get a shot off. It’s these small details that can be extremely frustrating.”
Sundowns’ failure to secure maximum points presents a challenging road ahead in a group that includes Moroccan giants FAR Rabat and Raja Casablanca. This was the first time since the 2018/19 season that Sundowns did not win their opening group stage match, following a previous loss to Lobi Stars.
While Sundowns faced challenges in claiming a victory, Rabat soared to the top of Group B after defeating their fellow Moroccans Raja with a score of 2-0.
