Fresh from a 7-0 win over La Passe in their CAF Champions League first-leg match of the preliminary round, Mamelodi Sundowns co-coach Manqoba Mngqithi remains wary of their visitors.
In what can be seen as a controversial statement, Mngqithi has compared La Passe’s approach to the game to that of DStv Premiership giants Orlando Pirates.
The Brazilians as Sundowns are known in football circles, demolished La Passe 7-0 last weekend at Loftus Versfeld Stadium and Mngqithi remains cautious of the opponents from Seychelles.
La Passe consists of players who are chefs, cooks, and carpenters but the veteran Sundowns manager, Mngqithi, refuses to undermine them.
Despite the scoreline which suggests the reigning league champions were all over the Islanders, Mngqithi said La Passe can still cause an upset.
“It’s because we did our assignment well and as much as they may look very bad in terms of the scoreline, they still have some very good players,” Mngqithi told the media as per TimesLIVE.
“The twins that play up top, No 19 [Assad Aboudou] and No 2 [Affandi Aboundou], their right-wing back, [Shane Archille Ernesta], those players have been to trials in the Bundesliga.
“That tells you something and that they are not as terrible as people would think.
“We knew the structure was going to be three at the back with two wing backs and two sitting midfielders.
“We anticipated a No 10 [Rhino Randriamanjaka] and No 14 [Rodrick Rose], but they didn’t start with [Rose]. They started with the 10 and 18 [Adrian Constance].”
Just before facing La Passe on Sunday last weekend, the Tshwane giants were frustrated by the Buccaneers in the MTN8 semi-final two weeks ago and the co-coach, Mngqithi pointed out a few similarities.
“In terms of the scoreline, I think we could have done better than we did, but they also gave us a few scary moments in transitions where we could have easily been punished,” he added.
“That [La Passe] team structurally looks close to what Pirates would provide. We knew it was going to be those two 10s and one 9 and two sitting midfielders. It’s the same thing you experience at Pirates with two wingbacks that are always high and wide and the three centrebacks.”
As the two teams are scheduled to lock horns for the second leg at the same venue on Friday afternoon, Masandawana fans are expecting another rout.
Social media users also weighed in on Mgqithi’s sentiments and there are contrasting remarks on Twitter. @Standard wrote:
“This plumber is very disrespectful. If the two teams have the same style how come your mighty team did have a shot on target against Pirates??? Show us that you are a real coach leave Sundowns and let’s see how many times you are going to be fired.”
@Selby Sithole said:
“He is not disrespectful we beat Pirates by heavy scores same as La Passe yet Pirates can only celebrate shorts on target against Sundowns nothing more.”
Main Image: Manqoba Mngqithi/Instagram
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