Mngqithi tipped by Lebusa to outshine Mokwena – ‘He will take us to greater heights’

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Mngqithi tipped by Lebusa to outshine Mokwena – ‘He will take us to greater heights’
Manqoba Mngqithi and Steve Komphela - photo by Mamelodi Sundowns

The former AmaZulu coach has received a vote of confidence in his ability to deliver at Masandawana.

Mamelodi Sundowns will go to greater heights under the leadership of coach Manqoba Mngqithi, according to defender Mosa Lebusa.

There have been changes in Masandawana's technical team after the exit of coach Rhulani Mokwena. The 37-year-old fell out with Sporting Director Flemming Berg which contributed to his exit. The South African has since been appointed as Wydad Athletic Club coach for a three-year deal.

Mngqithi will be working in the Premier Soccer League champions alongside Steve Komphela and Romain Folz.

It seems like there has been new developments regarding the next role of Manqoba Mngqithi at the club with agent appearing to be contradicting previous statements about his client's position within the club. Significant changes have taken place in the Tshwane giants technical team with Rulani Mokwena departing the club last week.  Sundowns moved swiftly to add a new member to the coaching contingent with Steve Komphela returning to assume his role as Senior Coach which was previously held by Mngqithi under Mokwena. Last week, Mngqithi’s agent Mike Makaab said the former Golden Arrows coach would not be appointed as either a head coach or an assistant coach. WHAT DID MIKE MAKAAB SAY ABOUT MANQOBA MNGQITHI’S FUTURE LAST WEEK? “It’s a different position that I can’t discuss, it’s not an assistant, but not a head coach, it’s something pretty different but on the coaching side, which I think is unique in South African football but not unique to European football,” said Makaab on Extra-time on Gagasi FM. “I am confident that during the course of this week we will finalise a deal for Manqoba,” he added.  “The majority of the terms of the agreement have been agreed and it obviously it was difficult for us, probably more difficult for Mamelodi Sundowns to bring it to finality because we didn’t know what was happening behind the scenes, and Mamelodi Sundowns obviously knew that these discussions were on-going with coach Rulani. “I guess that’s why there has been this delay, I am hoping that, now that the dust is starting to settle, cause it’s a big change, we’ll finally put pen to paper and put all of this speculation aside.” In a surprising turn of events, Makaab stated that Mngqithi will be the new head coach of Sundowns, with Komphela assisting. FRESH UPDATE ON MNGQITHI’S NEW POSITION AT SUNDOWNS “Manqoba was the Senior Coach assisting Rulani Mokwena,” he said on GagasiFM‘s Extra-Time on Monday. “So, at this stage, Manqoba will take over as the Head Coach, and again it will be clarified over the weeks and months to come, and Steve Komphela returns as the Senior Coach. “It’s always been the case that they’ve worked incredibly well together, they have enormous respect for each other. “And I think it’s a very smart move by  Mamelodi Sundowns Sundowns to bring Steve back.”
Manqoba Mngqithi, Steve Komphela and Goolam Valodia – Picture by Mamelodi Sundowns

What is Mngqithi expected to deliver?

Apart from the PSL, the Brazilians are expected to make a statement in the domestic assignments. They will be chasing the MTN8, Nedbank Cup, and Carling Knockout. 

Last season, they reached the final of MTN8 and the Nedbank Cup but were defeated in the final. TS Galaxy eliminated them from Carling Knockout in the initial stage.

They also won the inaugural African Football League in the concluded 2023/24 campaign.

In the new season, Mngqithi and his technical team are expected to push for the elusive second Caf Champions League title.

In their bid to push for the title, Sundowns – who will also compete in the expanded 2025 Fifa Club World Cup, have signed Kobamelo Kodisang, Arthur Sales, Kegan Johannes and Asekho Tiwani.

Lebusa expects Mngqithi to do better than Mokwena

During his two-year spell as the head coach, Rulani Mokwena helped the Brazilians win two PSL crowns and the AFL. 

Lebusa is confident more will be achieved under Mngqithi, “I mean with coach Rulani we had a different relationship with him as players, and he was a good coach, he was like a brother to us, but in football coaches come and go, players come and go but the club remains.

“So we are here at Sundowns, we have a new leader in Coach Manqoba, and when he first took over we didn’t really change much, but we added a few things into our game model and so far it’s been working, even in our pre-season.

“You will see from our results and how potent we are and as we go forward, not to take anything from coach Rulani, he did an amazing job with the team, we will always have respect for him but right now I think Coach Manqoba is in charge, we support him fully and I think he will take the team to greater heights.”

Downs start their season on Sunday with an MTN8 quarter-final game against Polokwane City at the Lucas Masterpieces Moripe Stadium.

<!-- Author Start -->Willis Sob<!-- Author End -->

Willis Sob

Author

Willis Sob is an experienced journalist who has been in the game since 2009, covering major assignments around the continent.
His hunger for African football is unmatched, always getting the best angles and facts to feed the fans and quench their thirst.

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