Mngqithi Aims Subtle Dig at Orlando Pirates Over Their Title Race With Mamelodi Sundowns

• Manqoba Mngqithi has backed his former side, Mamelodi Sundowns, as the undisputed team in the Premier Soccer League
• The South African manager explained the reason why others are struggling to keep up with the Brazilians in the Betway Premiership
• The Lamontville Golden Arrows head coach also opened up on some of the ideas they worked with when he was still with the Pretoria giants

Former Mamelodi Sundowns coach Manqoba Mngqithi has threw a small jibe at Orlando Pirates over the title race battle between them and the Brazilians in the Betway Premiership this season.

The South African coach believes none of the Premier Soccer League clubs have what it takes to compete with the Pretoria giants for the league.

The Tshwane outfit are currently top of the Betway Premiership table, 15 points ahead of the Sea Robbers in second place, but the Bucs have four outstanding matches.

Mngqithi aims subtle dig at Pirates over title race with Sundowns

Read also

Coach Mdaka not satisfied about Amajita’s performance despite thrashing Botswana 6-0

In an interview with iDiskiTimes, Mngqithi outlined the reason why none of the teams in the PSL are ready to compete with his former club in the South African league.

Sundowns have one of the best squad in the league and also have a good record in winning the Betway Premiership title.

“I know I sounded controversial when I said that these teams lack depth and struggle against the smaller teams,” Mngqithi shared with iDiski Times.

“It’s not about other clubs lacking quality, but rather that you can predict their starting XI. When you rely on the same players consistently across various competitions—domestic league, cup games, and the Champions League—it eventually takes a toll on the players. That’s why you need a deeper squad, one that allows you to rest key players while still staying competitive.

“At Sundowns, we managed this well by focusing on periodizing the squad to compete all the way through the Champions League, even though we struggled to win it.

Read also

Benni McCarthy explains why Kenya lost to Gabon on first home game in WCQ

“It was never about a lack of quality; it’s just that mistakes in the Champions League can be very costly.”

Mathematically, Orlando Pirates still have a chance to catch up with Mamelodi Sundowns on the Betway Premiership table as the have four outstanding matches.

The only problem the Sea Robbers are having is that the game in hand doesn't guarantee you maximum three points as they could drop more in the title race.

Sundowns are in a familiar ground after winning the league title for the past seven seasons, and are gunning for their eight league in a row. The Bucs are the only team in the Premier Soccer League putting up a fight with the Brazilians.

Mngqithi slams fans who criticised his playing style at Sundowns

Briefly News earlier reported that Mngqithi has hit back at those who criticised his playing style during his managerial stint at Mamelodi Sundowns.

Read also

Mngqithi blasts people who criticise his playing style at Mamelodi Sundowns

The Lamontville Golden Arrows mentor spent a few months in charge of the Pretoria giants before being dismissed and replace with Portuguese gaffer, Miguel Cardoso.

Source: Briefly News