Mamelodi Sundowns suffered a narrow defeat in their second pre-season friendly, losing 1-0 to Ukrainian giants Dynamo Kyiv on Wednesday, July 17th. The match, played at Sportstadion Wörgl in Austria, saw Sundowns struggle to convert their chances despite controlling a decent share of possession.
Familiar Faces in Sundowns Defense Breached
Mngqithi opted for experience in the backline, deploying regulars like Teboho Mokoena and Grant Kekana alongside familiar faces. However, Dynamo Kyiv found a way through in the 30th minute. Samba Diallo, the lively Dynamo forward, latched onto a low cross from the right flank and slotted the ball past the Sundowns goalkeeper, leaving the Brazilians with work to do.
Sundowns Edged Possession But Lacked Bite Up Front
The South African team enjoyed a fair share of possession throughout the match, with experienced midfielders like Themba Zwane and Khuliso Mudau trying to dictate the tempo. However, creating clear-cut opportunities proved challenging. While Sundowns managed more shots on target than their opponents, their finishing touch deserted them on the night.
Pre-Season Fine-Tuning Continues for Mngqithi’s Men
This defeat follows Sundowns‘ previous pre-season loss to another European side. Coach Manqoba Mngqithi is using these friendlies to assess his squad’s strengths and weaknesses, particularly in attack, before the upcoming domestic season and continental competitions like the CAF Champions League.
Mamelodi Sundowns vs Dynamo Kyiv: Key Takeaways
- Dynamo Kyiv’s Clinical Edge: The Ukrainian team showed their ruthlessness by capitalizing on their solitary chance to secure the win.
- Sundowns’ Dominance in Possession Doesn’t Translate: Despite controlling the ball for significant periods, Sundowns lacked the cutting edge in the final third.
- Mngqithi’s Search for Attacking Solutions: The Sundowns coach will be looking to identify solutions to improve his team’s finishing and attacking efficiency ahead of the new season.
Fans will be eager to see how the Brazilians respond to these pre-season setbacks. The upcoming friendlies will be a crucial test for Mngqithi’s men as they look to refine their tactics and find their scoring touch before the competitive season kicks off.
Related article: Mamelodi Sundowns Suffers 2-1 Loss Against German SV Sandhausen in Pre-Season Opener
