Manqoba Mngqithi excited by Mamelodi Sundowns momentum

He was speaking after the Brazilians blew away Eswatini’s Mbabane Swallows 4-0 in the second leg preliminary round of the CAF Champions League.

Sundowns have now won three games in a row since their back-to-back defeat to Stellenbosch FC in the MTN8 Cup competition earlier this month.

Mngqithi’s charges then bounced back by beating Mbabane Swallows twice in CAF competition, and in between defeated neighbours Supersport United in the Betway Premiership.

"It's always nice to win and to score as many goals because it brings confidence into the group but the most important thing for me is that breeds a lot of competition within the group. Now that this team that played today scored four, now it's a wait-and-see what happens on Tuesday in our game against Marumo," Mngqithi said.

"We also have another big one after that which is Kaizer Chiefs. So those matches now present an opportunity for the team to see how far can we go in the next few matches before the FIFA break but it is pleasing to have won these matches because we are building momentum."

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Mngqithi attributes the recent success to players having bought into his philosophy, which has changed the mentality and atmosphere of the team.

"I would not be sure whether everybody has brought to it. Whoever has brought to it, is going with it and we are happy with those that can see the light but the good thing about them is that they've realised that it has got a lot of goals,” he added.

“I think when players start to confess on the side that 'I think this season we are going to score a lot goals’. You get excited because they must have a buy in first and then we must try to drive towards that direction and now the atmosphere, that attitude, the mentality towards what we are trying to achieve is very clear. So, that every player understands what we are trying to do."

Mamelodi Sundowns have been joined in the group stage of the CAF Champions League by Orlando Pirates, while Stellenbosch FC are South Africa’s sole representative in the CAF Confederation Cup.

The draw for both competitions will be conducted on Monday, 7 October 2024 in Cairo, Egypt. But before then, Sundowns face Marumo Gallants in the Betway Premiership on Tuesday night.