Mamelodi Sundowns coach Manqoba Mngqithi is confident Masandawana will deliver under him despite a poor start to the 2024/25 domestic campaign.
The Brazilians had to dig deep in the MTN8 quarter-final to eliminate Polokwane City before falling 2-0 in aggregate against Stellenbosch in a two-legged semi-final.
It was not anticipated by the fans owing to the quality of the Premier Soccer League champions as opposed to their opponent.
‘I don't even have a social media' – Mngqithi
Despite a section of the fans coming out loudly against the former AmaZulu coach, Mngqithi is determined to help Masandawana achieve their targets.
“I don’t even have social media, so I can’t answer something that I don’t even see,” the 53-year-old stated.
“For me, one thing I know is that when you are the leader of a pack, it’s always important to try to move your ears away from the crowd and focus on what you are doing because as it is, I don’t think there is any reason for anyone to believe that I cannot coach Sundowns.
“I believe anyone who feels like maybe might be malicious, maybe might be having issues or maybe might be sent by others to say things that suit those particular individuals.
“But for someone to think I’m incapable of coaching Sundowns, it will be very strange for me.”
What next for Sundowns?
After the international break, the league champions have a fixture against Mbabane Swallows in the first leg of the Caf Champions League's second preliminary round.
Manqoba and his team will then play SuperSport United on September 17 in the Premier Soccer League's Tshwane Derby.
“Sometimes when you are not playing well it is not because of any ulterior motive but it is also important to reprimand as a leader when you feel that somebody is not doing what you are expecting from him,” Mngqithi had stated in a previous interview.
“It is not the time to press any panic buttons, it is normal for a team to lose matches.”
