Wednesday Nov 27, 2024. 15:00
Mamelodi Sundowns coach Manqoba Mngqithi insists there is no reason to panic just yet after being held to a 0-0 draw by AS Maniema Union in the CAF Champions League on Tuesday.
Bafana ba Style created plenty of chances in their Group B opener against the Green and Blacks, but a lack of quality in the final third meant they had to settle for a point at Loftus Versfeld.
The Brazilians only had one day to prepare for the continental clash after facing Magesi in the Carling Knockout final at the Free State Stadium on Saturday and making the trip from Bloemfontein to Pretoria on Sunday.
Mngqithi made six changes to the team that suffered a 2-1 defeat to Dikwena tsa Meetse at the weekend and felt the players gave a good account of themselves given the situation.
He is also confident in Masandawana’s ability to get results against AS FAR and Raja Casablanca in Morocco as well as the return leg against Maniema Union in Kinshasa.
“To be straightforward, I see we have potential to win more matches away from home in this group,” Mngqithi said in the post-match press conference.
“I also see us winning some matches at home and at this stage I have not pressed any panic buttons because it could have been catastrophic had we lost this match after losing the final at the weekend.
“I still believe the group that played tonight gave a good account of themselves, it’s just those final touches and decisions and maybe not taking advantage of situations.
“There were some good breaks we got where there were two-vs-one but suddenly you can’t even get a shot at goal.
“Things like that are the ones that infuriate you but the fact of the matter is there is a whole lot of positive things one can take out of this match under the circumstances.
“We were just unfortunate with the FIFA break and then the final immediately after that caused a little bit of chaos in the physical readiness of the players.”
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