Young Africans head coach Manqoba Mngqithi has stunned Tanzanian media with a trait he has displayed in his early days at the helm of the Dar es Salaam-based side. The South African coach recently took over the reigning Tanzanian champions, who’ve won five consecutive league titles.
His tenure has begun with three straight victories, 11 goals scored and only two conceded. However, another aspect of his early work has fascinated the Tanzanian media. The former Golden Arrows coach’s press conferences have stood out for the depth of his analysis and his ability to identify opposition players by name when discussing their qualities.
For a coach still finding his feet in Tanzanian football, his command of the local game has made it appear as though he has been studying it for years. Respected journalist and analyst Salum Pelembo believes that level of preparation has brought a fresh dimension to Mngqithi’s media engagements.
MANQOBA MNGQITHI ‘MENTIONS OPPOSITION PLAYERS BY NAME…’
“He analyses opponents in great detail and even mentions their players by name during press conferences, almost as though he has been here for a decade,” Pelembo told FARPost. “His analyst is clearly doing excellent work.”
Pelembo believes that attention to detail is also reflected in Yanga’s performances. “What has stood out recently is how his team presses opponents. He has also explained the impact the set-piece coach [Kagisho Dikgacoi] has had on the team,” he said.
“He carries himself with confidence in interviews and is not afraid to criticise his players when necessary. For instance, he spoke about Chugga Boy [Yanga player] being selfish.”
Mngqithi’s honesty and tactical insight have transformed otherwise routine press conferences into major talking points.
“He does this at almost every press conference and appears to unsettle opponents with his detailed knowledge of them. The media has responded positively, and the supporters are equally excited. There is always something interesting to take from his interviews,” he added.
Another Tanzanian journalist, Ramadhani Juma, described the former Mamelodi Sundowns mentor’s approach as refreshing.
“It is something new for us, and we now look forward to his press conferences. They are so rich, and there is always something to take from them,” Juma said.
MNGQITHI: ‘I TRY TO SHOW RESPECT TO MY OPPONENTS’
Mngqithi, however, does not view publicly exposing an opponent’s weaknesses as part of his approach. He explained that learning players’ names and understanding their roles is simply a sign of respect.
“I don’t remember mentioning the opponents’ weaknesses, but perhaps you can remind me,” Mngqithi said on Thursday while addressing the media ahead of Yanga’s encounter against Pamba Jiji on Friday night.
“I always try to show respect to our opponents. That starts with learning the players’ names rather than referring to them by numbers, as though they are cattle. Saying ‘number 20’ or ‘number five’ does not sound right to me.”
He explained that his technical team studies opponents closely, ensuring that Yanga’s players enter matches with a clear understanding of what to expect.
“I make sure I do my homework so that my players understand what they will be up against. That is very important. We analyse the opposition thoroughly and try to make them as much of an open book as possible for our players before finding the right solutions. Our job as coaches is to ensure we do not go into these matches blind or without a clear understanding of what we are likely to face,” Mngqithi explained.
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