Mamelodi Sundowns coach Manqoba Mngqithi has spoken about why this season’s MTN8 reminds him of the 2009’s edition where he won the trophy with Lamontville Golden Arrows.
Mngqithi led the underdogs to a resounding 6-0 victory over Ajax Cape Town in the final held at Orlando Stadium. This was his first top-flight trophy before joining Sundowns in 2014.
He recalled being the inaugural recipient of the R8 million prize money in 2009 and expressed his desire to be the first to claim the increased R10 million prize on offer this season.
Mngqithi is set to replace Rulani Mokwena, who recently departed the club to take up the head coaching position at Wydad Casablanca in Morocco.
MNQITHI SAYS HE WANTS TO BE THE FIRST TO WIN MTN8’S IMPROVED PRIZE MONEY
“It’s more exciting for me because I was the first one to win it (the old prize money),” Mngqithi Soccer Laduma.
“Now, they have improved the money and maybe the football gods will be with me me again to win it as the first one again when it's R10 million and that's what is exciting for me.
“For me l am just a coach who wants to win every match and winning the tournament will be good of course.
“The first MTN8 win was the biggest with 11 goals in four matches and we only conceded one goal with Golden Arrows which is considered a smaller team. Now I am with Sundowns with a good number of resources and we need to do well and win this tournament.”
The Brazilians, who last won MTN8 in 2021, will face Polokwane City in the quarterfinal on Sunday, 11 August at Lucas Moripe Stadium at 3 pm.
