Manqoba Mngqithi’s stint as Mamelodi Sundonws head coach lasted just five months before he was sacked with Portuguese tactician Miguel Cardoso installed.
Cardoso was officially unveiled on Tuesday, taking over from Mngqithi, who had been promoted to take over from Rulani Mokwena, who was dismissed at the beginning of July.
The writing had been on the wall for Mngqithi as early as his first game when his team laboured to beat Polokwane City in the MTN8 quarter-final, needing an own goal to reach the semi-final, where more trouble awaited as they were eliminated by Stellenbosch FC following back-to-back losses.
Since then, Mngqithi has had to answer questions about his position and future and while there was an upturn in form, results after the November international break have ultimately forced the club’s hand.
However, it was not just results that sacked Mngqithi. Afrik-Foot highlights five reasons that saw the ex-Golden Arrows coach dismissed.
Nightmare cup run
Sundowns’ elimination from the MTN8 semi-final by Stellenbosch was the first major disappointment of the season, having been beaten 1-0 both home and away with Stellies outfoxing them twice.
If that was not enough, further pain awaited as the Brazilians put up a good run in the Carling Knockout only to bottle it in the final.
Facing newly-promoted Magesi FC in the final, Sundowns were the overwhelming favourites and scored first but then allowed their rivals to grow into the game, paying a heavy price as they conceded two second half goals to lose 2-1.
Shaky league start
Sundowns might be top of the PSL but their start to the campaign has not been entirely convincing.
Even though they have scored the most goals, they have not been subduing the opponent or dominating as they did in the past, needing moments of brilliance to win rather than well-constructed moves.
Dressing room disharmony
Mngqithi’s handling of Khuliso Mudau and Teboho Mokoena might have also added fuel to the fire.
Two of Sundowns star players, Mudau and Mokoena became peripheral figures in the early months of the season, not getting selected entirely while in the national team, they were still shining.
That saw the spotlight turn to Mngqithi, who defended himself by telling off those who criticised his decisions, but it was clear that the move had an impact on the rest of the dressing room.
Unconvincing style of play
From Pitso Mosimane’s free-flowing to Rulani Mokwena’s possession-based football, Sundowns turned into a long ball team under Mngqithi, not afraid to play on the counter.
While the players were so used to constructing their moves, they became a team that relied heavily on the brilliance of their attackers to win games and when the opponent ‘parked the bus’ they appeared to run out of ideas. That is one of the things Cardoso will have to reestablish.
Poor start in CAF CL groups
The tactician’s nadir, however, came in their last two matches following a poor start to their CAF Champions League group stage campaign.
Sundowns failed to beat Congolese side Maniema Union at home, following a drub goalless draw, while any hopes of a change in fortunes were extinguished after a 1-1 stalemate with AS FAR in Morocco last weekend.
That effectively sealed Mngqithi’s fate as the club has made winning the Champions League their main target this season and it was one of the reasons Mokwena was sacked despite dominating in the league.
Two points from as many matches against teams they should have easily beaten left Mngqithi’s job hanging by a thread and it was not a surprise when he was given his marching orders on Tuesday.
