Mamelodi Sundowns coach Manqoba Mngqithi has revealed he is happy with team performances so far but has also urged his players to keep their eye on the ball in upcoming clashes.
The Brazilians have charmed with stellar displays and consistency this season. At present, they comfortably head the PSL pack with two games in hand after having secured an early spot in the CAF knock-out stage earlier in the week.
Understandably, Mngqithi is encouraged by developments and believes that Sundowns are fully capable of sustaining their level of performances, both defensively and offensively.
He said, “We just get excited when [the players] make sure that they win matches and also when they keep clean sheets because we know if we keep a clean sheet we are guaranteed to score a goal.
“Sundowns always have a goal in them somewhere, and so far one is encouraged, and this is a very long road, but we know there is still a lot of work to be done.
“Humility is important and the players understand that they must respect the game because the game can show you flames. We are allowing a little bit more of a game, and we don’t even encourage a lot of long and high balls unless we are forced by circumstances.”
Mngqithi is well aware that the busy programme in upcoming months may take a toll on the team, as the Sundowns continue firing on all cylinders in the Nedbank Cup and CAF in parallel to the title-chase.
According to him, the ideal resolution of the busy schedule will be to conquer fronts as quickly as possible in order to unburden the team in their chase for other available trophies this year – a scenario he believes his team to be fully equipped to materialise.
“Know that this season is a little bit tighter, so if you look at our last league matches in May, you will realise that, whatever we do, we must do it quicker in the Champions League to give ourselves a breather.
“Even in the league, it will be nice to arrive to the last five matches not looking for too many points because at that time it will be very tight for us when you look at the programme.
“The team has got the material to perform the way they are performing at the moment.”
The Brazilians take on bottom-locked Black Leopards at the Loftus Versfeld on Sunday. A positive result in this fixture will extend their unbeaten run in all competitions to 26 games and their wins in a row to six.