Mngqithi not counting Brazilians’ chickens until sun goes down on MTN8

Mamelodi Sundowns coach Manqoba Mngqithi is cautious about raising expectations that the Brazilians will finally win the elusive MTN8 title.

Sundowns booked their berth in the MTN8 semifinals by beating Kaizer Chiefs 2-1 on penalties in the first round at Lucas Moripe Stadium in Pretoria at the weekend.

Peter Shalulile and Themba Zwane had given Downs a two-goal cushion before Bernard Parker and Khama Billiat scored to make it 2-all, forcing the game into extra time before penalties separated the two sides.

Experienced keeper Kennedy Mweene stopped four spot-kicks and converted one to send Downs through to the MTN8 last four. The Tshwane heavyweights will meet Golden Arrows in a two-legged fixture in the semis. The dates for the semifinals are yet to be confirmed.

Despite winning almost everything in the recent Premier Soccer League (PSL) era, the top-eight cup has eluded the Brazilians. They last clinched it when it was still sponsored by SAA in 2007.

Last season, Bloemfontein Celtic cut Downs’ MTN8 journey short by eliminating them in the first round. Beating Chiefs in this season’s quarterfinals has brought about belief among fans that Sundowns will go all the way and lift the cup.

Even so, Mngqithi isn’t temped to count his chickens before they hatch. “It’s always difficult to say it’s the time to win the MTN8, but it’s an opportunity because now we’re in the semifinals. At this stage, it’s one step closer,” he said. “It’s impressive that we qualified for the semifinals because this has been a hurdle for us. This first match has always been a problem.”

You’re playing the league champions in the first round, you get back from 2-0 down to 2-2 in normal time. I think if that was a league game there wouldn’t be many complaining about that result.

—  Kaizer Chiefs coach Stuart Baxter

Since winning the top eight competition in 2007, Sundowns have failed to get past the first round four times, reaching and losing the final twice with four semifinal qualifications as well. 

Though their MTN8 elimination means they must wait a little longer to end the club’s six-year trophy drought, Kaizer Chiefs coach Stuart Baxter sees no shame in losing on penalties to a club of Mamelodi Sundowns’ calibre.

Baxter has moved swiftly to quash the idea that losing the quarterfinal was a huge blow. Instead, he emphasised the focus should be on coming from two goals down and losing on penalties to the league champions.

“You’re playing the league champions in the first round, you get back from 2-0 down to 2-2 in normal time,” Baxter said. “I think if that was a league game there wouldn’t be many complaining about that result.

“This being a cup game, it goes into extra time and penalties, so we have little control. In terms of the trophy, every tournament you enter, if you’re a serious professional club, you hope to win it and we desperately wanted to put the game to bed in penalties and go to the next round, but we didn’t.”

Baxter argued that the game could have been won by either side in extra time, lauding Downs’ ability to hold their nerve in the shoot-out.

“The never-say-die attitude is something we want to have for the entire season as a characteristic in Chiefs and I would be disappointed if we fail to have it. Definitely, they deserve a pat on the back for their commitment ... to scratch and claw their way back into the game.”

Chiefs play TS Galaxy in their opening league game of the season at the Mbombela Stadium on Sunday at 5pm.