Manqoba Mngqithi has addressed the processes of player recruitment at Mamelodi Sundowns and disclosed the only player he requested to sign.
The 52-year-old parted ways with Masandawana a few months after taking over as the head coach of the club. Mngqithi took over the reins at Downs ahead of the 2024/25 Betway Premiership season.
In an announcement made on Tuesday, 10 December 2024 at Chloorkop, Sundowns appointed Miguel Cardoso as the new coach to replace Mngqithi.
The former Golden Arrows coach – Mngqithi, was fired alongside his assistant coach, Romain Folz, and goalkeeper coach, Wendell Robinson.
Meanwhile, Manqoba Mngqithi was given the job at Sundowns following the axing of Rulani Mokwena in the off-season. Subsequent to their collaborative coaching tenure, Mngqithi assumed the role of senior coach under the guidance of Head Coach Mokwena.
Amongst the reasons that led to the departure of Mokwena was reportedly the dispute with the Tshwane giants’ sporting director, Flemming Berg, over the recruitment of players. Flemming is believed to be the decision-maker in player movements at Sundowns.
MNGQITHI REVEALS THAT THE ONLY PLAYER HE SIGNED AT SUNDOWNS IS IQRAAM RAYNERS
Speaking to Robert Marawa on MSW, Mngqithi revealed that the only player he signed at Sundowns is Iqraam Rayners. The highly-rated forward completed a high-profile move from Stellenbosch FC to the Brazilians in August 2024.
“I don’t want to come out on this platform and say I didn’t know anything [about player recruitments]. I’d be lying; I don’t want to lie,” Mngqithi said.
“Yes, this initiative [of Flemming having a say on signing players] started before me. So when I got the opportunity, the only player that I personally requested from the club was Iqraam Rayners.
“That one is the player I personally requested, and I pushed. Fortunately, I got support from a lot of people in the club; that’s why it happened, and I appreciate that.”
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