Mamelodi Sundowns’ manager Manqoba Mngqithi expressed his dissatisfaction with his team’s performance following a goalless draw against AS Maniema Union in their CAF Champions League opener at Loftus Stadium on Tuesday.
Despite dominating possession and creating numerous scoring chances, the Brazilians were unable to find the back of the net, resulting in a stalemate with the Congolese outfit.
With an impressive 76% possession, Sundowns took 17 shots at goal, five of which were on target, and earned a total of 11 corner kicks during the match. However, they struggled to break down the solid defense of AS Maniema Union, thanks in part to the outstanding efforts of goalkeeper Brudel Efonge.
Mngqithi pointed out that the draw stemmed not just from missed opportunities, but also from what he perceived as a lack of effort from certain players.
“I have concerns about one or two players who may not have given their all. The rest of the team showed a lot of passion,” Mngqithi remarked.
“I was happy with our defensive performance; they showed extraordinary resilience. In midfield, I thought Tebza (Tebogo Mokoena) excelled and matched Kitambala (Jephte) effectively.”
While the coach acknowledged the significant contributions from key players, he also pointed out the apparent lack of urgency from some members of the squad.
“There were numerous quality players, but my main concerns lie with those I questioned regarding their effort and intensity, as that’s often where mistakes happen,” he continued.
Sundowns missed several key opportunities, including on-break counterattacks where they failed to convert chances into goals. Mngqithi noted that the team encountered challenges in taking advantage of crucial moments during the match.
“Nonetheless, I believe that the squad on the field displayed their abilities well,” the coach stated.
“Ultimately, it came down to finishing touches and our failure to capitalize on opportunities. We had promising breaks, such as a two-on-one situation, and we couldn’t even register a shot. It’s those minor details that can be immensely frustrating.”
The inability to secure all three points places Sundowns in a precarious position within a group featuring Moroccan heavyweights FAR Rabat and Raja Casablanca. This marks the first instance since the 2018/19 season where Sundowns did not win their opening group stage match, having previously lost to Lobi Stars.
While Sundowns struggled to claim a victory, Rabat emerged as the leaders of Group B, following their 2-0 triumph over Raja.
