Mamelodi Sundowns coach Manqoba Mngqithi has explained how his side has benefitted from being “disrespected” by teams this season.
The Brazilians reclaimed the top spot in the Betway Premiership after defeating Sekhukhune United 3-0, while previous log leaders, Orlando Pirates, suffered a 1-0 loss to Stellenbosch FC over the weekend.
Both teams are tied on 21 points, but Sundowns hold a superior goal difference.
Reflecting on the early days of his tenure, Mngqithi acknowledged the doubts surrounding the team following Rulani Mokwena’s departure.
He revealed that he motivated his players by highlighting the opportunity to exploit opponents who would underestimate their abilities.
Mngqithi believes that this disrespect has led to more open games, allowing Sundowns to capitalise on their attacking prowess and score a significant number of goals.
MANQOBA MNGQITHI SAYS MOST TEAMS THOUGHT THEY’D GO ‘POUND FOR POUND’ WITH SUNDOWNS
“When I was talking to the team at the beginning of the season I said because of all the commotion and everything that was surrounding the team, we will benefit a lot from being disrespected,” said Mngqithi.
“And that has led to us scoring so many goals. Most teams would think they can go pound for pound [with us] and open themselves up, and we punish them.
“But I told the team at that time that there will be a stage where now you will be respected. And when you’re respected, you will understand how difficult it is to win a football match.
“When people start to respect you, then they adopt strategies of trying to stop bleeding instead of trying to beat you. “They try to make sure that they minimise the space behind them. They try to make sure that they minimise your goal attempts.
“And when they do that with the low block, it becomes very difficult. And that is the stage where I’d want my team to understand we’re preparing for that phase.
“But when they’re still giving us a chance because they disrespect us, we will obviously punish them as much as we can.”
Mngqithi believes that the team’s performances have earned them more respect from their opponents. He noted that rivals are now employing a more defensive approach, opting for a low block to avoid conceding goals.
MNGQITHI BELIEVES THEY’VE GRADUALLY EARNED RESPECT
“I was hoping that it would last for longer because I enjoy not being respected sometimes. Unfortunately, people started to sit in,” he continued.
“Honestly, I never expected that Sekhukhune would sit in the way that they did. We are in that phase now where everybody says I must not concede five, maybe if I concede one or two it’s better.
“That respect is not coming out of nothing. It’s coming from what these boys have done.”
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