Mngqithi left disappointed with Sundowns display

Mamelodi Sundowns co-coach Manqoba Mngqithi has lamented a “disappointing” performance as his side were held to a 0-0 DStv Premiership draw with Chippa United on Tuesday, having barely threatened the Chilli Boyz’s goal.

Mngqithi felt his side could have been more ambitious in the way they attacked and taken the game to the home side.

"Personally, it was a very disappointing performance, we were not aggressive enough, more especially in the first-half," Mngqithi said.

"We played with a lot of caution, not wanting to lose possession, as if we're already controlling the game. Maybe had we scored the chance we got with Peter [Shalulile] early in the match and start playing like that to draw them out, it would have been better.

"But when we don't have a goal, we have to be a little bit adventurous and force the game, take the game to the opponent, we fought a lot with our full-backs, too many back passes. Midfield, too many back passes.

"It was an area of big concern for us, because it was a very patient, cautious performance, which to be honest if you were to select the Man of the Match, for me it would have been very difficult because today I did not have anything special from anyone.

"Because the number of shots at goal, the number of dribbles, the number of box entries, the fight to try and get three points, it was not sufficient and we were very unhappy.

"First-half we had a very big talk, they came second-half, try to push but still not enough, not enough incision to try and find the openings behind the defence and in between their defenders.”

Mngqithi says they will just have to accept the point and move on.

"We wanted to win the match of course but we can take this point because with one counter [attack], one set-piece, it could've been different.

"But the truth of the matter is we wanted the three points but I don't think we fought hard enough, we did not dribble enough, force some individual brilliance, an element of surprise into the game.

"It became too obvious, pass, pass, pass, at times when you're playing against a deep lying block, you need to create free-kicks, corner-kicks, you need to force situations up until the game breaks out but the truth of the matter is, we're very disappointed, that's the fact."

Sundowns are next in action on Sunday when they travel to Durban for the first leg of their MTN8 semifinal against Lamontville Golden Arrows.