Sundowns Must Bounce Back Against Cape Town City at Home

After a surprising 1-0 defeat to Polokwane City at the Old Peter Mokaba Stadium, Mamelodi Sundowns coach Manqoba Mngqithi is urging his team to recover quickly and focus on their upcoming match against Cape Town City tonight. The loss interrupted Sundowns' flawless start to the Betway Premiership, where they had won their first four games. However, Mngqithi is not letting his players dwell on the setback, especially as they aim to secure an eighth consecutive title.

With kickoff at 7:30 pm in Pretoria, Mngqithi emphasized the need for improved performance, particularly in speed, chance creation, and finishing. Reflecting on their recent 5-0 win against Golden Arrows, Mngqithi admitted disappointment with their struggles against Polokwane, especially with failing to register a shot on target.

The intense schedule due to CAF Champions League commitments leaves little room for extensive recovery, with Sundowns playing almost every three days. Mngqithi is adapting by rotating his lineup, with new left-back Asekho Tiwani frequently starting. Tiwani, signed from Sekhukhune United, has impressed the coach with his consistent performances despite his youth and recent transition to Sundowns.

Mngqithi acknowledged the challenging schedule but noted that other teams, including Orlando Pirates and Stellenbosch, face similar demands. He remains optimistic, urging his team to keep pushing as they aim to get back on track with a win against Cape Town City.