Orlando Pirates legend Lucky Lekgwathi has shared his thoughts on whether Mamelodi Sundowns’ technical team changes will give the Buccaneers an edge to win the league.
The sudden departure of coach Rulani Mokwena at ‘Bafana Ba Style’ forced the Chloorkop-based outfit to make changes to their technical team for the 2024/25 PSL season.
These changes saw Manqoba Mngqithi being appointed as the head coach of Masandawana, having worked as an assistant to Mokwena, who has since joined Wydad Casablanca.
Mngqithi will steer the ship with the assistance of Steve Komphela, Romain Folz, Wendell Robinson, and Kennedy Mweene.
LUCKY LEKGWATHI ON WHETHER PIRATES WILL TAKE ADVANTAGE OF SUNDOWNS’ TECHNICAL TEAM CHANGES
The former Pirates captain put it on record that Sundowns shouldn’t be underestimated under the tutelage of Mngqithi and his assistant coaches.
He insists that ‘The Brazilians’ still have their core squad that has won the league numerous times and Mngqithi is no stranger to the team.
In fact, Mngqithi has been at Chloorkop for a decade, and that’s one of the reasons why Lekgwathi believes that the technical team changes won’t cause any setbacks for Sundowns.
“Let’s not underestimate Mamelodi Sundowns. Those two coaches are good. Manqoba didn’t coach me, but I worked with Steve Komphela, who was the assistant coach of Bafana Bafana back then,” Lekgwathi told FARPost.
“We managed to beat Mexico at Concacaf if my mind still set me well, and that’s when I noticed this coach is good, so let’s not underestimate them.
“They have experience and it’s too early to say Pirates will able to take advantage of technical team changes at Sundowns. Komphela went to Moroka Swallows and Golden Arrows, where I think he did a great job.”
The retired footballer continued: “Coming back to Sundowns, a team is not all about coaches but the players. Most of the players who won the league seven times in a row with the team are still there.
“So, it’s going to be an entertaining season. Let’s wait and see from the first matches, and we will take it from there.”
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