Manqoba Mngqithi Reacts to Sundowns’ Carling Knockout Final Loss

Mamelodi Sundowns coach, Manqoba Mngqithi, has opened up about his side’s surprise Carling Knockout Cup final defeat to rookie team, Magesi FC.

On Saturday night, 23 November, the reigning Premier Soccer League champions were defeated 2-1 by Magesi at Toyota Stadium in Bloemfontein, Free State.

In a post-match interview, Mngqithi commented on the unexpected nature of Sundowns’ defeat, acknowledging that Magesi are “a team that doesn’t need too many chances to punish you.”

“The only sad thing is the goals that we conceded because they are in the areas that we worked very hard on as we identified, particularly the first goal,” the 53-year-old coach said. “We knew that [winger Edmore Chirambadare] is the most important player for them.”

He continued: “We had complete dominance of the game … We had [possessions] in very good positions on the field, not necessarily in front of them. I think we had 80% [possession] with so many shots at goal. But unfortunately, I think the universe called this one, because I don’t think there is anything much we could have done to win this match.”

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