Mamelodi Sundowns’ Cup Final Struggles: A Puzzling Phase for the Brazilians

Mamelodi Sundowns have found themselves in an unusual and challenging phase, one that is leaving both fans and head coach Manqoba Mngqithi scratching their heads. With three domestic cup final losses in the space of just a season and a half, the giants of South African football are grappling with why they seem to falter at the final hurdle when the stakes are highest.

Sundowns were expected to lift the trophy in their most recent encounter, a domestic cup final against rookie side Magesi FC at Free State Stadium. As overwhelming favourites, they appeared destined to add another piece of silverware to their already impressive collection. However, Magesi FC had other plans. The rookie side mounted a stunning second-half performance, sending a reminder that football is a game where no one, no matter their standing, can be taken lightly.

The Unanswered Question

For Sundowns, the big question is clear: Why can’t they deliver when it matters most? Last season, they experienced a similar disappointment, losing twice to Orlando Pirates in both the MTN8 and Nedbank Cup finals. They had hoped to break their cup final drought in the recent encounter against Magesi FC, but despite being the more dominant side, they fell short yet again.

Having led 1-0 in the first half, Sundowns squandered their advantage, eventually losing 2-1 to the upstart team. Their 12 goals scored in the competition, the most prolific side by far, were not enough to see them through to victory. The loss stings even more when considering that Sundowns’ defense had conceded only two goals up to that point, making the defeat all the more baffling.

Mngqithi’s Reflection on the Loss

Mngqithi, who has been a key member of the technical team under Rulani Mokwena during this recent cup final drought, expressed his frustrations after the loss. Reflecting on Sundowns’ performance in previous cup finals, he highlighted the team’s dominance in possession and attacking play, yet still falling short when it mattered most.

“I think we’ve gone into that spell where things are just not going our way in cup matches and you really would not put a finger on it,” Mngqithi said after the Magesi defeat. He recalled the MTN8 final loss to Orlando Pirates last season, where Sundowns had 70% possession and created more chances, but still succumbed to a Pirates goal late in the match. “We did everything right, but unfortunately in the latter stages of the game, they created a goal out of nothing and we lost the final,” he lamented.

Despite the team’s stellar attacking form in the competition, Mngqithi acknowledged the painful irony of scoring 12 goals in four matches and still being knocked out. “That is the most sore point. When I won the MTN8 with Golden Arrows, we scored 11 goals and conceded one. This time we scored 12 and conceded two, and we are out without the cup. For me, that was a good return, but unfortunately, where it mattered most, that’s where we let it go.”

Looking Ahead: A New Challenge in CAF Champions League

Sundowns now find themselves needing to quickly recover from this painful cup final loss and shift their focus to continental glory. With the CAF Champions League round robin phase kicking off on Tuesday, they have little time to dwell on their domestic misfortune. The Brazilians are set to host Congolese outfit Maniema Union at Loftus Stadium, hoping to start their continental campaign on a high note.

As Sundowns face the challenges of both local and international football, the key question remains: Will they be able to overcome their cup final jinx, or will this perplexing phase continue to haunt them when it matters most? Only time will tell.