Mamelodi Sundowns co-coach Manqoba Mngqithi has explained why his side won’t take it easy when they face La Passe in the CAF Champions League preliminary round second leg on Friday.
Sundowns have an upper hand heading into the match, with a seven goal advantage.
According to Mngqithi, Sundowns want to keep the tempo high as they are preparing for big matches ahead.
Masandawana’s next two matches are crucial, they face Marumo Gallants in the league and Orlando Pirates in the MTN8 semi final second leg.
THE DOWNS COACH EXPLAINS
“We got big assignments after these two matches, so if we drop our intensity, probably from the first match,” Mngqithi told the media.
“And this match we might find it difficult to rise back again into our PSL speed of the game against Marumo Gallants and against Orlando Pirates.
“It is very important to us to put the foot on the pedal and make sure that we give it our best shot because you’re [the players] also writing your name into the next team sheet.
Gearing up for #TotalEnergiesCAFCL action under the lights on Friday! ⚽#Sundowns pic.twitter.com/6pdmCfYmUI
— Mamelodi Sundowns FC (@Masandawana) October 12, 2022
“The biggest assignment we have as Sundowns is to always better our benchmarks and whoever is given an opportunity for the match has a responsibility to live up to our expectations as the technical team.
“Everything that happens in the match we get to see, how many box entries, dribbles and distance did you cover.
“We looking at those things, each and every individual must show that he deserves an opportunity into the match.”
Sundowns attacker Sphelele Mkhulise is of the same view as coach Mngqithi. He supports the idea of going all out against La Passe to keep focused heading into next matches.
“We want to maintain the mentality we had in the previous match, we want to focus and plan ahead for the next coming games against Marumo Gallants and Orlando Pirates.
“It wont help us to reduce the pace because we leading 7-0, we must pick up from where we left off, score goals and work hard,” said Mkhulise.
Masandawana have put one foot into the Champions League group stages with their seven goal cushion in the first leg. They will be aiming to replicate the same performance on the return leg on Friday.
Kickoff at Loftus is at 18:00.
