Sports

Manqoba Mngqithi: Mamelodi Sundowns Were Better Against Al Ahly

Tuesday, May 18, 2021 at 6:04 AM by Phumzile Ngcatshe

- Mamelodi Sundowns manager Manqoba Mngqithi has shared his impressions following their 2-0 loss against Al Ahly on Saturday night

- Mngqithi is still confident they can overturn the 2-0 loss when they welcome Ahly at home on Saturday afternoon

- As they now look forward to the second leg of the CAF Champions League match, Mngqithi says his men have a 60% chance of winning versus Ahly

PAY ATTENTION: Click “See First” under the “Following” tab to see Briefly.co.za News on your News Feed!

Mamelodi Sundowns coach Manqoba Mngqithi says they were unfortunate to lose the match against Al Ahly because Ahly was the better team. The Brazilians suffered a 2-0 loss against the Red Devils, who are coached by former Sundowns boss Pitso Mosimane.

Although the second encounter could still go either way, Sundowns will have to be clinical upfront at Lucas Moripe Stadium for them to reach the semi-finals of the CAF Champions League.

Read also

Hlompho Kekana: Mosimane knows Sundowns will celebrate against Ahly

Mamelodi Sundowns coach Manqoba Mngqithi believes his team was better than Al Ahly in Egypt. Image: @Masandawana/Twitter
Source: Twitter

The Tshwane giants have to score three goals and not concede, but sharing his thoughts on the clash, Mngqithi says he expected a fast-paced match. He said:

"Like I expected it was always going to be a tactical game, we played very well and were unfortunate not to score, I've never seen a team coming to Egypt dominating Al Ahly for possession.

"To see Al Ahly playing a counter-attacking game at home was interesting for me but this was the first half, the second half is in Johannesburg.

"We started the game very well, kept the ball very well and played very good in the half-spaced, which forced them on the back foot, but we didn't take our chances."

The former Golden Arrows mentor remains confident they can still finish the job in the Capital City.

PAY ATTENTION: Never miss breaking news – join Briefly News' Telegram channel

Read also

Al Ahly coach Pitso Mosimane heaps praise on family for undying support

He added:

"We played better in the second half but didn't create as many chances and [Mohamed] El Shenaway also came to the party and saved them from a very good corner kick, if we got that goal it would have opened the game up.

"I still have a lot of respect for Al Ahly and they have so many intelligent players, [Mohamed] Sherif was very instrumental up top, Afsha also showed his quality in the half-spaces and I think Mohamed was very clinical with his finish, it was a well-taken goal but I still believe we were the better team football-wise but we lost the match.

"I'm very happy with the way they performed and on the percentage of what's likely to happen at home, I'll give Sundowns 60 percent [chance of winning] and Ahly 40."

The clash at Lucas Moripe Stadium will be staged at 3pm and Mosimane will look to register a double over his former employers.