Manqoba Mngqithi Thankful Of Tanzanian Hospitality!

Manqoba Mngqithi Thankful Of Tanzanian Hospitality! Mamelodi Sundowns returned from their travels to Tanzania on Monday (1 March 2020).

It was a very fruitful excursion as they comfortably demolished CR Belouizdad 5-1 at the Benjamin Mkapa Stadium. This is their second CAF Champions League group stage win.

Zwane (x2), Erasmus, Shalulile and Maboe were all among the goals. They now sit comfortably at the top, 4 points ahead of TP Mazembe.

The Sundowns co-coach was mindful of the hospitality provided to them while in Tanzania.

“We must give thanks for your hospitality to everyone here in Tanzania, your kindness, your humanity was seen by all and as Mamelodi Sundowns we felt like we were at home while we were here.” He said on the club website.

“We knew we were playing a good team but we wanted to put our foot forward and make them defend as we felt we were better physically and the atmosphere suited us. We are used to playing in the afternoon and we knew that they are not and you saw that very early in the game they created an error and we utilised it.”

The Brazilians were assisted by an early red card. Belouizdad were sent down to 10 men within the opening 5 minutes when their players deliberately handled a goal bound shot from Zwane.

He was subsequently sent off and Zwane scored from the spot.

“We were assisted by the fact the player got sent off, I want my players to learn from that incident. Had the defender just let the ball go in they would have had a good number and a fighting chance, because we had a numerical advantage we did not apply ourselves fully in the first half”

Influential goalkeeper Dennis Onyango came off at half-time due to injury. Mngqithi confirms that its not serious.

“We don’t think it is a serious injury, they stepped on him, we are hopeful that he will be available soon. When I saw him walking on the pitch after the game I felt a little bit better and I hope he will get better soon.

“I must say Kennedy Mweene came in with his experience and plugged in the hole and we never looked like we were shaky” he concluded.

Manqoba Mngqithi Thankful Of Tanzanian Hospitality!