The DSTV Premiership title race is now very wide open after Mamelodi Sundowns once again failed to record a win on Wednesday evening. A goalless draw against Golden Arrows meant they’re now a point ahead of Amazulu.
The draw at Loftus Versfeld means they have now gone four games without a win, and even though they have two games in hand, it will be a compelling battle to keep their hands on the title.
Following the draw, Mamelodi Sundowns co-coach, Manqoba Mngqithi, has made a bold statement, declaring that Golden Arrows would have a big say on where the title eventually ends up.
“We expected a very high-intensity game with very quick transitions,” Mngqithi said after the game.
He praised the work ethic of Golden Arrows and poured encomiums on the young lads.
“Arrows are probably the team with the quickest transition in the league. 8-10 seconds and they are at your goalposts. I think we dealt very well with that pressure, their counter-pressing. These young boys work, they run, the intensity of the game.
Mngqithi also defended his lad’s inability to win the game, claiming they were interested in not losing the game.
“We knew it was not going to be an easy game. We were clear in our minds that it’s a game that we should not lose. It’s a game that we must fight to win but never lose because this is the team that I honestly believe has got a very big hand in who wins the league.
He agreed it was a tough match that tested the mentality of his boys, especially after the 2-1 loss to Kaizer Chiefs over the weekend, but was satisfied with their performance.
“The fact we managed to go past them without losing the match we stand to gain from those who might not beat them. They are one of the strongest terms in the league. I know these boys since they were young. The capacity, I know. Honestly speaking they are playing some enterprising football, the best transitional team.”
He also attributed his team’s inability to find a way past Golden Arrows to the Kaizer Chiefs’ loss.
“Maybe we were a bit anxious after the loss against Chiefs. We did not want to lose more than we wanted to fight for a result,” he said.
“But as Sundowns we need to come back. We need to start scoring, start showing the quality that we have. Sometimes I do feel that we are jaded a little bit.
For their next outing, Sundowns will be eager to return to winning ways when they travel to Johannesburg on Sunday to tackle Orlando Pirates.