Mngqithi explains Downs' Polokwane switch

Mngqithi explains Downs' Polokwane switch

Mamelodi Sundowns co-coach Manqoba Mngqithi has explained the club's growing brand is behind the decision to take their MTN8 semifinal second-leg against Orlando Pirates to Polokwane on Saturday.

Downs will host the Buccaneers at Peter Mokaba Stadium in the Limpopo province in a move that has been clarified for the first time during Mngqithi's preview press conference on Thursday.

"We are a growing brand, hey. We must acknowledge and appreciate that. As a team, we are trying to conquer as much space as possible within the country," said Mngqithi.

"And Polokwane has also proven to be very good for us, in many assignments that we've had in that space.

"I think it is a very good choice and one that was also guided by the quality of the pitch, and Sundowns wants to play in a very good pitch, and at this stage, I don't think there's any other pitch better than that one.

"For us, as a growing brand, it is also important to try and encompass as many people as we can in trying to make sure that we make them feel at home, and feel part of this successful team."

Regarding the match, Mngqithi says they are facing a Pirates side that continues to improve and now seem to have also added goals to their locker following their 2-0 win over Golden Arrows midweek. 

"We are playing a very tough match, against a team that has improved in leaps and bounds, and a team that made sure we don't score a goal in their backyard [in the first leg]," he added.

"That makes this assignment a little bit of a tough one for both teams because we know what Pirates are capable of, and they also know what we're capable of.

"But the most interesting thing is that the team had not been scoring enough - I mean our opposition - but, since they changed the shape a little bit in the previous match, they created a lot of opportunities that I believe they could have taken more than 2-0."

By Mazola Molefe