Sundowns eyeing strong start in Group B

Mamelodi Sundowns coach Manqoba Mngqithi insists they are headed in the right direction as he turns his attention to AS Maniema Union in the CAF Champions League on Tuesday.

Kick-off is at 6pm CAT (SA, GMT+2)

CURRENT FORM:

The pressure is mounting on Mngqithi after his side suffered a shock 2-1 defeat to Betway Premiership newcomers Magesi in the Carling Knockout final on Saturday, November 23.

It was the third time in the space of two seasons that Bafana ba Style had lost in a final after they succumbed to Orlando Pirates in the 2023 MTN8 and the 2024 Nedbank Cup.

The Brazilians had won their previous four games in all competitions since Polokwane City brought an end to their perfect start to the league campaign with a surprise 1-0 win on October 27.

Sundowns qualified for the group stages of Africa's elite club competition by beating Mbabane Swallows 8-0 on aggregate in the preliminary second round two months ago.

AS Maniema Union are flying high in Ligue 1 after going undefeated in their opening seven fixtures to open up a four-point lead at the top of the table with two games in hand on Dauphins Noirs.

The Green and Blacks edged Celeste 1-0 on November 20 to make it four straight wins in the DR Congolese top flight after dropping their first points in back-to-back draws with Aigles du Congo (0-0) and Motema Pembe (1-1) in October.

Guy Lusadisu's side are making their debut in the CAF Champions League proper, having overcome Ngezi Platinum on penalties in the preliminary first round before seeing off Petro de Luanda 2-1 on aggregate in the second round.

WHAT WAS SAID:

Mamelodi Sundowns coach Manqoba Mngqithi

"If you choose to become a coach, you must expect that in this space our jobs are always under scrutiny every week because we have to deliver.

"It's unlike a CEO of a company who has come at the end of the financial year [and deliver a report]. With us football coaches, it is always going to be where are we going, are we going in the right or wrong direction?

"And I am still optimistic that we are going in the right direction."

PLAYER TO WATCH:

Mamelodi Sundowns - Lucas Ribeiro has been one of Downs' standout players in the early part of the season and was pivotal in their run to the Carling Knockout final after registering one goal and three assists in four appearances. The Brazilian's four goals and two assists in the league has also seen the defending champions stay in touch with Pirates at the top of the table.