We Want to Improve Our Own Benchmarks! – Manqoba Mngqithi

We Want to Improve Our Own Benchmarks! – Manqoba Mngqithi. The Brazilians will play in their second leg of their CAF preliminary match tomorrow.

Mamelodi Sundowns will play against minnows La Passe in their CAF Champions League qualifying round on Friday night. Co-coach Manqoba Mngqithi believes their only objective is improving on standards they have previously set.

Masandawana absolutely demolished their opponents in the first leg. They won by a resounding 7-0 margin, thanks to goals from Grant Kekana, Sphelele Mkhulise, Sipho Mbule, an own goal and a Gaston Sirino brace.

It is these benchmarks which Mngqithi is keen on bettering. He does not wish to compete with other clubs.

“The biggest assignment that we have as Sundowns is to always try to better our benchmarks, and whoever is given an opportunity for this match also has the responsibility to live up to our expectations as the technical team.

“Everything that happens in the match we get to see, how much box entries, how many dribbles, what distance did you cover we are looking at those things because each and every individual must show that they deserve an opportunity to get into the next match. But more so because we’ve got very big assignments after these two matches.” He spoke.

Despite the victory, Mngqithi was keen to clarify the qualities of La Passe.

“We had done our assignment and we had seen that as much as they may look very bad in terms of the score line,” he told the media.

“They still have some very good players [like] the twins that play at the top, the #19 and #2 [as well as] their right wing back #4 (if I’m not mistaken). Those players have been to trials in the Bundesliga and that tells you something.

“They are not as terrible people would think. We knew the structure was going to be three at the back with two wing backs and two sitting midfielders.

“We anticipated a 10 and a 14, but they did not start with a 14 they started with a 10 and 18. Up top we expected a 7, 19 and a 9 and they were not far off from that.

“In terms of the score line on the match itself, I think we could’ve done better than we did. But we also gave them a few scary moments in transition where we could’ve easily been punished.

“One was a foul in front of goal by one of their wingers. I think it was a number 7 if I’m not mistaken and the [other was a] foul that Mosa Lebusa did on their number 19 which could’ve easily resulted in a booking.

“The truth is that we did our preparations like we normally do, we do good due diligence for every match because we don’t want surprises. We always want to know what is most likely going to happen.”

The second-leg will be tomorrow night. We Want to Improve Our Own Benchmarks! – Manqoba Mngqithi