Mngqithi – Sundowns are not unbeatable

It is not clear whether it is humility or genuine sentiments from Manqoba Mngqithi, but he is not about to say that Mamelodi Sundowns are unbeatable.

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Given their fine form Masandawana are in this season, it is clear to see that Sundowns are establishing themselves as unstoppable and immovable force in the local scene, having bullied everyone around in the DStv Premiership and reaching the MTN8 final, where they will face Cape Town City.

Mngqithi is cautious of blowing his own horn and has credited his coaching colleagues for making sure that the squad remains grounded, regardless of how ruthless they are on the pitch.  

“It is easy to start thinking that we are invincible and then we will get punished. We don’t want to take our minds off the process. The process is more important than being invincible,” said Mngqithi.

“Anything is possible in football and that is why we have to keep our humility and stay focused because sometimes good results can make you lose your mind and you start thinking that you are invincible and you get easily surprised by the opponent, because a team that nobody expected can beat you.

“I give credit to coach Steve Komphela, Rulani Mokwena and Wendell Robinson for making sure that everybody is doing well and is focused. Wendell is doing a great job by having four goalkeepers who are competing at the highest level. Coach Steve and Rulani have a lot of impact in leading this team and making sure that we succeed,” he added.

This Sunday, Masandawana will host a beleaguered Swallows FC side that just shipped four goals in an MTN8 semifinal against City, and has won just one league game all season.

Sundowns do go into that game with a bit of a goalkeeper crisis as three of their goalies – Denis Onyango, Kennedy Mweene and Reyaad Pieterse – are nursing injuries.

Pieterse started the game against Arrows earlier this week but had to be stretchered off and made way for Ricardo Goss, leaving him as the only 100% fit goalkeeper in the side.      

“Not many people know how good he is with his feet and was very influential in our build-ups. Now that he is injured, we have got Ricardo Goss who is also technically good. The two of them played a very big role in creating moments out of nothing. For two goalkeepers who have not been playing regularly to perform the way they did, it is exciting because it tells us about the depth that we have … it is encouraging for everybody. It is just a pity that Pieterse is now out.”