Mngqithi: Sundowns did enough to win

by Staff Reporter

Tuesday Feb 15, 2022. 10:00

Mamelodi Sundowns co-coach Manqoba Mngqithi expressed his disappointment that they could only manage a 1-1 draw against Baroka at the Old Peter Mokaba Stadium on Monday evening.

Richard Mbulu scored a sensational 95th-minute equaliser to cancel out Lyle Lakay’s superbly-executed free-kick in the 49th minute as Bakgaga earned a dramatic point which lifted them out of the relegation zone.

Lakay could have bagged four goals on the night but for the frame of the goal denying him on no less than three occasions throughout the match, while Basel Mphahlele missed a penalty in the first half for the hosts.

Mngqithi felt his team had created enough chances in Polokwane to take home all three points, but he paid tribute to Kgoloko Thobejane’s side for not giving up the fight.

However, he went on to claim that the conditions played a factor in the result, with both the pitch and the floodlights having been less than ideal.

“(The draw was) very disappointing,” Mngqithi said after the game. “A very tight game I must say, a game that could have been decided on set-pieces. Lyle [Lakay] did very well to score the first, unfortunate with the second one.

“But credit must also be given to Baroka. I think they worked very hard and were very hungry, they fought for every ball. Nonetheless I think the team did enough to win the match. It was just unfortunate that at the end we ended up getting a draw.

“But the boys really gave a good account of themselves in a match that was played on a field that was not very good on the day and unfortunately the lighting is also not one of the best.”