Mngqithi upset with timid Sundowns

Manqoba Mngqithi hit out at his team’s display in a goalless DStv Premiership draw with Chippa United on Tuesday, saying that they did not do enough to break down well-organised opponents at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium.

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“It was a very disappointing performance,” said the Sundowns co-head coach on SuperSport TV after the match.

“We were not aggressive enough, especially in the first half, we played with a lot of caution, not wanting to lose possession, as if we were already controlling the game. Maybe if Peter (Shalulile) had scored his early chance, then we could have played like that, but we needed to draw them out better.

“When you don’t have a goal you have to be a bit more adventurous, and take the game to your opponents. Our full backs played too many back passes and our midfield too, there were many areas of concern. It was a very … cautious performance. The number of shots, dribbles, box entries, and the fight to get three points was not sufficient.”

“I was very unhappy with the first half, in the second half we tried to push but there were not enough incisions to try and find openings.

“It is the second match of the season, and there is always a lot to expect … but we wanted the three points, and I don’t think we fought hard enough for the three points,” added Mngqithi.

The Sundowns coach, meanwhile, did admit some concern with his side’s lack of goals despite an apparent abundance of riches in attack. Sundowns have only netted once in their first two Premiership matches, and that was from the penalty spot.

“We are also missing a lot (of chances). Peter was very unlucky, his first chance behind the defence (against Chippa) was a tap in. Even in the last match we didn’t have too many shots on target. If you check the number of situations (in which) we arrived in the opposition box, but shot across the keeper, or off target … there have been few precise shots on target. Even today, we probably had three shots, and that is a big concern.”