How Sundowns’ new MTN8 attitude helped them reach the final

When Pitso Mosimane was still the head coach of Mamelodi Sundowns, his sentiments suggested that he didn’t really mind not winning the MTN8.

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Mosimane used to basically always say ‘we’ve got bigger fish to fry’, every time Downs bombed out of the top-eight tournament, referring to the Caf Champions League and the DStv Premiership.

Since Jingles’ departure, Masandawana have taken a different stance on the MTN8, under the leadership of Mosimane’s successors, Manqoba Mngqithi and Rulani Mokwena.

After a false start last season, the pair have guided the side to the final for the first time since 2016, where they lost to a brilliant Bidvest Wits side in Mbombela.

The Brazilians beat Golden Arrows 4-1 on aggregate in the semifinals, resoundingly thumping Arrows 3-0 in Tshwane on Tuesday, and Mngqithi says this has been the mandate for the team from the start of the season.

“The message was very clear from us as coaches that this crop of players must leave their own legacy. They have got a responsibility to the club. To others, the MTN8 might not be a prestigious trophy, but to us and the new generation, it is important to say we won the MTN8 cup that has been elusive for 14 years,” said Mngqithi.

Sundowns last won the competition in 2007 when it was the SAA Supa8, beating Orlando Pirates 1-0 in the final.

“It was very important … to go into the game against Arrows with the mentality to book a place in the final and now that we are in the final, the team must create a legacy for themselves because this team has won every other trophy, but we have not won the MTN8. Everyone within the team is hungry for this trophy and we want to tread carefully and keep our feet on the ground and not lose focus,” Mngqithi added.

Given that the club has gone close to a decade and a half without tasting any success in the MTN8, Mngqithi admits that there has been a level of desperation from his players. However, he is confident that his man-management skills will help calm the storm and keep Downs players focused in the final, scheduled for October 30.

“We are wary of that space and we speak a lot about anxiety and focus. We always emphasize that we have to stick to our tactics and make sure that all we do in training, we transfer into the match. 

“Anxiety and desperation can lead us into making a lot of mistakes so we are trying to have a team that is more focused, knowing that we want to give it our best shot and not make too many mistakes. So far, so good.”