Cape Town City head coach Erick Tinkler has made a claim about Manqoba Mngqithi’s Mamelodi Sundowns following the departure of Rulani Mokwena.
Mngqithi had indicated from the outset that a transformation in the team’s playing style was anticipated, aiming to generate more scoring opportunities instead of merely circulating the ball without a more aggressive approach.
However, Masandawana have not had a good start to the 2024/25 season, having been eliminated from MTN8 by Stellenbosch FC with a 2-0 aggregate score in a two-legged semifinal.
In light of this, Tinkler has asserted that Mngqithi has not significantly deviated from Mokwena’s tactics. He acknowledges some alterations in player personnel but remains confident that the team will eventually gel together and regain its former effectiveness.
TINKLER’S VIEWS ON MANQOBA MNGQITHI’S SUNDOWNS
“I still see them being a very pressing team,” said Tinkler.
“Coaches come with different ideas, different mentalities but obviously there’s certain aspects of how they play and you don’t want to change.
“And I don’t think he’s changed that, maybe personnel. And it’s about personnel gelling, getting better understanding of each other.
“It doesn’t happen overnight, everybody…you sign five, six players and tomorrow they are going to click? It doesn’t work that way, it takes time.
“What he have there? He has abundance of talent. Now, it’s just about finding right combinations.
“And Rulani had that combination from how many years that he was there? So, it takes time.
“I don’t think it’s fair criticism [on Manqoba].”
In what could set the tone for the season, Sundowns won 4-0 over Mbabane Swallows in the first leg of the CAF Champions League second preliminary round on Saturday evening.
