Mamelodi Sundowns head coach Manqoba Mngqithi has discussed how he has coped with the criticism stemming from some of his decisions and the team’s slow start to the season.
Mngqithi was speaking after Masandawana secured the 2-0 victory over SuperSport United in their Betway Premiership opener on Tuesday night at Loftus Versfeld Stadium.
Before the match, the coach’s choice to drop Khuliso Mudau and Teboho Mokoena from the squad had come as a big shock. Additionally, the decision to place the team’s playmaker, Themba Zwane on the bench continued to raise further questions.
This was the fourth occasion on which ‘Mshishi’ was benched having started in only one of the five games the team has played so far this season.
Given Sundowns’ poor start to the campaign, Mngqithi faced significant scrutiny regarding his capabilities, considering that the club had enjoyed consistent success for a long time.
Mngqithi believes not being on social media shields him from many of the negative remarks directed at him.
He stated that his “high self-esteem” has been instrumental in sustaining his career in the football industry for over two decades.
MANQOBA MNGQITHI REVEALS HOW HE DEALS WITH NEGATIVITY
“One I’m helped by the fact that I’m not on social media,” said Mngqithi.
“So, I don’t listen to all the rubbish that people would say. So, that helps because sometimes you would be emotional from the pictures that people send and put on their thing, talking rubbish.
“Also, I’m a big boy, I’ve been in football for more than 20 years now and I know what is expected of me.
“And I know that sometimes I will be able to keep the job for long and maybe if circumstances don’t allow me and I don’t do well, I know what is most likely to happen. For me, that’s the most important thing in life.
“In life, it’s important to accept that you have to face the realities and the good thing is I’ve got a very high self-esteem, I’m very confident. In my ability, I’m very confident and I know what I’m capable of.
“So, it’s not what an opinionated person says that defines me. Other people can’t even manage their own lives but have big opinions on what you’re competent on.
“So, if you listen to everybody, you’ll end up losing your mind. For me, it’s always important to trust my gut feeling, to trust my competency, to trust my abilities as a human being and to know that sometimes I can do so well but maybe luck might not be on my side and circumstances might not favour me.”
Mngqithi says that he has consistently maintained the belief of overlooking the so-called “influential players” when they no longer offer what’s expected of them.
He emphasised that he is willing to provide second chances when players demonstrate a renewed desire to perform at their highest level.
‘WHEN YOU DON’T HELP THE CLUB, I TAKE THAT DECISION…’
“One thing you must know I’m very capable of taking decisive decisions, that’s one thing I’m good at,” he continued.
“If you can check some of the top players that were respected in my previous clubs, when I say I no longer feel you’re helping the club, I take that decision and I move. And that helps me a lot.
“If you go back to Golden Arrows, you check what happened to Bheka Phakathi, what happened to Pere [Ariweriyai]. All these players that were influential in those teams.
“When I feel you’re not going to help the team at that point in time, I take the decision. But one thing good, I’m a very good human being, I don’t keep grudges.
“When you’re ready to perform and give the team what it needs, I will always embrace you because I’m must be a bigger boy, I must be a father to these kids.
“These kids are looking up to their leader to make sure that he’s also fair to them. Just like in any family, there will be good moments, bad moments, punishments and rewards, there will be successes and failures.”
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