Manqoba Mngqithi says two SA teams in the Champions League maximize winning chances

By Matlhomola Morake
22nd September 2024

Mamelodi Sundowns coach Manqoba Mngqithi has hailed the progression of Orlando Pirates into the group stage of the CAF Champions League, saying it maximises South Africa’s chances of winning the competition.

The Brazilians mentor was speaking after his side walloped the visiting Mbabane Swallows of Eswatini 4-0 on Saturday in the second leg of the club continental qualifiers, and 8-0 on aggregate.

Sundowns were eliminated in the semi-finals in last season’s edition of the Champions League while Pirates did not proceed to the group stages. Mngqithi says it would be great if one of them won the competition.

"I must congratulate Pirates first, it's very good for a big team like Pirates to be in the group stages and for Sundowns and for South Africa to have two teams in the Champions League group stages, that's big and that's when we start to maximise the chances of a South African team winning the Champions League," Mngqithi said.

"It will be nice if both teams can also go through to the next round which is the quarterfinals because once we are there, anything is possible. It will be nice if we don't win, it's won by Pirates or if Pirates does not win it, we win it, just like Zamalek were doing with Ahly [Al Ahly] for the longest of time in the Champions League.

"So, it will really be nice to get ourselves to that level where it's not only the dominance of the North Africans but also in the SADC we are well represented and I'm very excited for Pirates to go through. I'm also very excited that our boys made it to the group stages."

READ: Jose Riveiro takes Orlando Pirates back to Champions League group stages

Four different players - Kobamelo Kodisang, Thembinkosi Lorch, Sphelele Mkhulise and Malibongwe Khoza - scored on the night at the Lucas Masterpieces Moripe Stadium, but the goal drought continues for star striker, Peter Shalulile. M

ngqithi says they need to help the Namibian marksman who hasn’t scored in eight games.

"To answer you on Peter, I was very impressed with the effort he put in the game and that is the reason why we will always support Peter no matter what because he never lacks in giving the team everything he has," the coach explained.

"When he's not scoring, I think it's our time as the technical team as the whole club to support him in his endeavors to come back because he's still gonna be important to us.

The reason why we also decided to play him today was to try and give him the confidence back so that he could bury one. We know once he has scored one goal, this thing will open up again and his confidence will be back but I must say there were a lot of positive things in his game, he was just unfortunate not to be able to score."