Mamelodi Sundowns head coach, Manqoba Mngqithi, has been at the helm of the club’s resurgence in the South African Premier Soccer League (PSL), guiding them back to the summit of South African football. Under his leadership, the club has slowly but surely regained its dominance, and Mngqithi is confident that his side is once again becoming the feared force it once was. The coach believes that their journey back to the top is not just about accumulating points, but about earning the respect that comes with sustained success. In his reflections, Mngqithi elaborates on how Sundowns’ performance and reputation have evolved over time and how the team has leveraged both disrespect and recognition to fuel their rise.

Manqoba Mngqithi The Fear Factor Returns

Sundowns have long been considered the team to beat in the PSL, a reputation built on consistent excellence and dominance. Mngqithi believes that this fear factor—where rival teams adopt ultra-defensive strategies and game plans—has returned, signaling that Sundowns are back to their best. He points to a recent 3-0 victory over Sekhukhune United as a clear example of how opponents now view Sundowns as a dominant force. Despite the defensive tactics employed by Sekhukhune United, Sundowns managed to overpower them with a comprehensive win.

Mngqithi, however, emphasizes that this respect didn’t come overnight. “When I spoke to the team at the beginning of the season, I explained that we could benefit from being disrespected,” he said. “Opponents would underestimate us and leave themselves open, which would give us the chance to exploit them. That’s exactly what happened in the early part of the season when teams tried to go head-to-head with us, thinking they could beat us.” The coach believes that Sundowns capitalized on this disrespect, using it as motivation to score freely and dominate games.

Disrespect: A Tool for Motivation

Mngqithi has always been a firm believer in the psychological aspects of football, and he views being disrespected as an opportunity rather than a setback. The coach explained that Sundowns’ success in the early part of the season was fueled by the fact that rival teams had underestimated them. “We saw teams thinking they could take us on and opened themselves up. When that happened, we punished them. I enjoy being disrespected sometimes because it brings out the best in us,” he explained.

However, Mngqithi also warned that this phase of being underestimated would not last forever. As Sundowns continued to win, rivals began to take note and adjust their strategies accordingly. He predicted that teams would eventually shift from trying to beat Sundowns to simply preventing them from scoring. “At some point, opponents will adopt a strategy of trying to minimize the spaces behind them and reduce our goal-scoring opportunities. That’s the phase we are entering now, where teams will look to limit the damage instead of trying to defeat us,” said Mngqithi.

Manqoba Mngqithi Rising to the Challenge

As Sundowns’ reputation grows, so do the challenges they face. With opponents now playing more defensively against them, Mngqithi is working to ensure that his team is ready for the new tactical demands. “It’s going to be tougher now, as teams are becoming more cautious. But we must embrace this challenge. It’s a sign of respect, and we must adapt accordingly,” he added. The coach is focused on ensuring that his players remain sharp, particularly when facing sides that sit deep and try to frustrate their attacking play.

This shift in approach has made games more difficult, but Mngqithi is confident that Sundowns are up to the task. Despite some struggles in finishing—evident in matches against Magesi and Maniema, where Sundowns had numerous shots but struggled to convert—Mngqithi remains optimistic. “We’ve had games where we’ve had 20 shots at goal but couldn’t score as many as we should. It’s frustrating, but it also shows that we have the potential to dominate even more,” he said. The coach is encouraging his team to remain focused on becoming more clinical in front of goal, understanding that perfecting this aspect of their game will make them even more dangerous.

Mngqithi Managing Key Players and Building for the Future

Another aspect of Mngqithi’s leadership is his ability to manage individual players, ensuring they contribute to the collective success of the team. One key player who has been instrumental in Sundowns’ success is striker Peter Shalulile, who is on the verge of becoming the club’s all-time leading goal scorer. Mngqithi has carefully managed Shalulile’s workload, ensuring the striker stays focused on the team’s goals while continuing his personal rise in the club’s history.

Conclusion

Manqoba Mngqithi’s leadership has propelled Mamelodi Sundowns back to the pinnacle of South African football. His tactical insight, combined with his psychological understanding of how to motivate his players, has enabled Sundowns to earn the respect they deserve. While challenges remain, Mngqithi’s belief in his team’s potential and his ability to adapt to changing circumstances will be key to sustaining their dominance in the PSL for years to come.