Manqoba Mngqithi addresses Shalulile’s goal drought at Sundowns

Mamelodi Sundowns coach Manqoba Mngqithi has addressed Peter Shalulile’s goal drought following the club’s 4-0 win against Mbabane Swallows in the CAF Champions League on Saturday night at Lucas Moripe Stadium.

Sundowns claimed an impressive 8-0 victory on aggregate against the Eswatini side after winning the first-leg of the second preliminary round 4-0 away from home.

The Brazilians found the back of the net through Kobamelo Kodisang, Malibongwe Khoza, Thembinkosi Lorch, and Sphelele Mkhulise in the second-leg in Pretoria.

In a dominant display against Swallows, Shalulile led the attacking line for Sundowns, searching for his first goal in the 2024/25 season.

The Namibian international has featured in five matches in all competitions since the start of the new campaign. Shalulile last scored for Sundowns in May 2024 during the 1-1 draw against TS Galaxy at Mbombela Stadium in the league.

In the current campaign, Shalulile is competing with new signings Arthur Sales and Iqraam Rayners for a starting place in the striking department.

Interestingly, Rayners, who signed from Stellenbosch FC in the off-season, has already scored two goals for Sundowns.

WHAT DID MANQOBA MNGQITHI SAY ABOUT PETER SHALULILE’S SCORING FORM?

Mngqithi says the former Highlands Park talisman needs help to regain his goal-scoring form, which has made him one of the best forwards on the African continent.

“I was very impressed with the effort Peter put in the game [against Mbabane Swallows], and that’s the reason we’ll always support Peter no matter what because he always gives the team everything he has,” Mngqithi said.

“When he’s not scoring, it’s our time as the whole technical team and the whole club to support him in his endeavours to come back because he’s still going to be very important for us.

“The reason we also decided to play him today is because we are trying to give him the confidence to bury one [goal], and once he has scored one goal, it will open up again, and his confidence will be back.

“I must say, there were a lot of things that were positive in his game, but he was just unfortunate not to have scored,” the former Golden Arrows mentor concluded.

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