Five things we’ve learnt as Mngqithi, Mokwena mark 100 games for Sundowns
Sunday’s MTN8 quarterfinal against SuperSport marks 100 games since Mamelodi Sundowns co-coaches Manqoba Mngqithi, and Rulani Mokwena took over from Pitso Mosimane.
In numerology, 100 is a powerful number representing new beginnings, fresh starts and infinite possibilities.
It marked new beginnings after Mosimane was at the helm of the Tshwane giants for eight years.
Coincidentally, the biblical significance of the number eight is new beginnings. It’s linked to a brighter future, new horizons, and a new life in general.
Here are some of the things we’ve picked after 99 games in charge.
1. They have maintained consistency in winning.
In their first season in charge at Chloorkop, the duo steered the team to a league title, winning 19 games, drawing 10 and losing just one game to Kaizer Chiefs. With the assistance of senior coach Steve Komphela, the pair has managed to win 62 matches, drawing 28 while losing in 19 outings. Sundowns won two league trophies in the 2020/21 and 2021/22 campaigns, in which they also won MTN8 and Nedbank cup to complete a treble.
2. Tweaked Mosimane’s style of play.
The style has changed. Notably, Sundowns played a more fast-paced, quicker game under’ Jingles’. Under the duo of Mngqithi and Mokwena, they are patient with the ball, and when moments come, they break forth and attempt a goal.
3. They have taken the dominance a notch higher.
They’re more formidable and have opened a wider gap from their opponents. Mosimane’s last season is an excellent example of how the gap has widened over the previous two seasons. It had to take Baroka to hold Chiefs on the last day of the league for Sundowns to win it. Sundowns seem no match to any local side in the previous two seasons. Last season, it was even worse as they wrapped up the league with four games to go. After amassing 65 points, runners-up Cape Town City were a distant 16 points behind.
4. Sundowns have upped their scouting.
Their predecessor described their star-studded squad composition as “paradise”. “I also wish that when I was there, I could have the squad that they have now; I did not have that. I had Ramagalela and them, now it’s paradise,” Mosimane told journalists recently. The integration of newly signed players has been phenomenal and admirable for their competitors. The quality of this season’s new signings, Abubeker Nassir and Marcelo Allende, is a testament to that. Add to that the quality of Sipho Mbule, Ronwen Williams and Bongani Zungu.
5. Good coaching and man-management.
The two tacticians have brought the best out of players like Andile Jali, who had a slow start to the club since joining the Tshwane-based side from Belgian outfit KV Oostende in the 2018/19 season. Aged 32, Jali was pivotal for the 2016 CAF Champions League winners as the team won all silverware on the local front last season. The former Orlando Pirates star scooped MTN8 Last Man Standing, DStv Premiership Midfielder of the Season and Nedbank Cup Player of the Tournament at the 2022 PSL awards.