Mamelodi Sundowns coach Manqoba Mngqithi is not fully convinced the players have adapted to his system despite a 4-1 win over Marumo Gallants on Tuesday afternoon.
Tashreeq Matthews' brace and goals a piece from Lucas Ribeiro and Sphelele Mkhulise were enough to give the defending champions a deserved Premier Soccer League win. The visitors got their consolation through Gabadinho Mhango who also missed a penalty.
Mngqithi took over from Rulani Mokwena three months ago and is now happy that the players are eventually getting it right after a tough start that saw his side getting kicked out of the MTN8.
Mngqithi NOT SURE players have bought his ideas
In the last four games across all competitions, Masandawana have managed as many wins, scoring 14 goals and conceding just one in the process.
“To be honest on that one, I would not be sure whether everybody has bought into it but whoever has bought into it is going with it and we are happy with those that can see the light,” the former AmaZulu coach said after the win over Gallants.
“The atmosphere, attitude, mentality towards what we are trying to achieve is very clear that every player understands what we are trying to do but in terms of the system, we are not yet at the level where I want us to be.
“We are still playing in moments, we are not consistent and our positional play sometimes is still questionable but we are improving with every match.”
Malesela adamant scoreline is not a real reflection of the game
Marumo Gallants coach Dan ‘Dance' Malesela has lauded his players for the fighting attitude they showed even when the team was trailing by four goals.
“This is a situation of goals being scored and goals not being scored, and the match goes on. What I mean is, I don’t think the scoreline really truly reflects the match. It was not just one team, it wasn’t one-sided,” he said after the game.
“I got a lot of encouragement and inspiration from our players. They played for the name at the back and for the brand. You hardly see teams who are 3-0 down or 4-0 down and they still fight to get a goal, they still want to play, and still have the hunger to try and get back.
“That is very rare. Big up to the boys,” he concluded.
Sundowns play Kaizer Chiefs in their next game while Gallants will be chasing their first win against AmaZulu.
