In a surprising turn of events, Mamelodi Sundowns faced their first Betway Premiership loss of the season in a 1-0 upset against Polokwane City on Sunday, October 27, 2024. Playing at the Old Peter Mokaba Stadium, Polokwane City exhibited a disciplined and tenacious performance, propelling themselves to fourth place while halting Sundowns’ seven-game winning streak in all competitions. Head coach Manqoba Mngqithi did not hold back in assessing his team’s performance, openly admitting he was “not impressed” with multiple aspects of the game.

Mngqithi’s Concerns: Pace, Decision-Making, and Execution

Reflecting on the defeat, Mngqithi expressed deep dissatisfaction with his team’s play, specifically highlighting their lack of pace, ineffective chance creation, and poor decision-making in the final third. According to the coach, the squad that scored an impressive five goals against Lamontville Golden Arrows just a week prior struggled to create any meaningful threats against Polokwane, a reality he described as “worrying.”

The coach pointed to his players’ inability to move the ball quickly enough to break down Polokwane’s defense, which led to frequent turnovers and missed opportunities in the final third. In Mngqithi’s own words, “We never had much control of the game. Even in the second half, while we improved, our defense remained vulnerable, and our slow speed of play failed to shift their hard-working team.”

Credit to Polokwane City’s Tactical Edge

Mngqithi gave credit to Polokwane’s coach, Phuti Mohafe, and his team for their defensive resilience, which limited Sundowns’ ability to convert crucial final passes into shots on target. “In the first half, they were very strong. We struggled to create clear-cut chances because of our mistakes and lost balls from key players like Tashreeq Matthews, Iqraam Rayners, and Siyabonga Mabena,” Mngqithi admitted.

He continued to praise Polokwane for their diligent approach, which consistently thwarted Sundowns’ attacks, forcing his team into risky counterattacks. Polokwane’s defensive setup allowed only limited space up front for Sundowns, leaving the Brazilians frustrated. “We must give them credit — they worked hard and fully deserved the win,” Mngqithi acknowledged.

Critical Misses and Frustrations in the Final Third

The Sundowns coach highlighted specific missed opportunities, such as Asekho Tiwani’s pass to Rayners, which came close but failed to materialize into a goal. “It was unfortunate we couldn’t capitalize on one of our best chances. Rayners didn’t manage to control and finish, and it just wasn’t our day,” Mngqithi stated. Other late-game opportunities, including a shot attempt from Sphelele Mkhulise, were also unsuccessful, leaving Mngqithi concerned about the team’s declining confidence in the final third.

The Road Ahead: Areas for Improvement

Mngqithi expressed the need for his team to regain their earlier form, which saw them score 23 goals in seven games. He warned that improvements in pace, decision-making, and clinical finishing are crucial if they are to remain competitive in the title race. “This is the same team that scored five past Arrows, so struggling to get a single shot at goal today is a concern,” Mngqithi remarked, stressing the importance of refining their game in these critical areas.

Looking Forward to Cape Town City Showdown

With little time to regroup, Mamelodi Sundowns will face Cape Town City at Loftus Versfeld Stadium on Wednesday evening. This fixture presents an opportunity for Mngqithi’s side to redeem themselves and reinforce their title ambitions. Fans and analysts alike will be watching closely to see if Sundowns can bounce back with renewed focus and intensity.

Sundowns’ first league loss has revealed areas that need immediate attention, and Mngqithi’s candid post-match reflections indicate a commitment to tackling these issues head-on.