Mamelodi Sundowns coach Manqoba Mngqithi has revealed the intense pressure faced by coaches, emphasising the constant scrutiny and high expectations they endure.
Mngqithi’s troops’ Carling Knockout Cup hopes were dashed in a stunning 2-1 defeat against newly-promoted Magesi FC at the Free State Stadium on Saturday evening.
In a dramatic turn of events, Magesi rallied from a goal deficit to secure a historic victory over the dominant force of SA football.
Mngqithi, who took over the reins from Rulani Mokwena at the start of the season, experienced his first cup final as head coach. Despite the disappointing loss, he remains confident in the club’s direction under his leadership.
However, the Sundowns coach acknowledged the intense scrutiny he faces, stating that his future is constantly under question and that delivering results is paramount.
MANQOBA MNGQITHI ADMITS ANYTHING IS POSSIBLE WITH REGARD TO THE FUTURE
“In football, you can expect anything. If you choose to be a coach you must expect that in this space, our jobs are always under scrutiny every week,” he said.
“Every week, we have to deliver. It’s not like the CEO of a company who has to come at the end of a financial year. With us football coaches, it always has to be where are we going? Are we going towards the right direction or the wrong direction? But I am still very optimistic that we are going in the right direction.”
MAMELODI SUNDOWNS LOSE TO MAGESI FC AFTER PUTTING A HUGE FIGHT
Following the defeat, Mngqithi admitted there was nothing much they could have done on the day to win the match.
He further stated that Magesi are a clinical team that can capitalise on limited opportunities. “We knew that they are a team that doesn’t need too many chances to punish you,” added Mngqithi.
“The only sad thing is the goals that we conceded because they are in the areas that we worked very hard on as we identified. Particularly the first goal. We knew that [Edmore] Chirambadare is the most important player for them.
“We had complete dominance of the game, which we were not surprised about. We had positions in very good positions on the field, not necessarily in front of them. I think we had 80 per cent position with so many shots at goal. But unfortunately, I think the universe called this one because I don’t think there is anything much we could have done to win this match.”
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