Mamelodi Sundowns coach Manqoba Mngqithi is not impressed with the fact that the Carling Knockout final will be played immediately after the international break.
The Premier Soccer League champions' players featured heavily for their respective National Teams for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers.
Ronwen Williams, Khuliso Mudau, Bathusi Aubaas, Teboho Mokoena, Iqraam Rayners, Thapelo Morena, and Mothobi Mvala were in action for Bafana Bafana, which played Uganda and South Sudan, respectively. Zimbabwe fielded defender Divine Lunga, while Peter Shalulile played for Namibia.
However, Magesi FC – who will be playing Masandawana in the final, had most of their players available for the fixture. Mngqithi says he can't blame Hugo Broos for playing Mamelodi Sundowns players and went on to explain why he feels facing Dikwena tsa Meetse on Saturday at the Toyota Stadium in Bloemfontein will be challenging.
Suicidal to play a Cup final' it is like Bafana playing Cameroon on Tuesday
“They are using their best players because you want to build on the momentum, you want to make sure you don’t start opening cracks in the team for people to start seeing some of your shortcomings when some of the players are not there. It is difficult to ask any coach to not play their best players,” Mngqithi told the media.
“Personally, I would say there’s nothing wrong playing a league match after the Fifa break. A cup final immediately after the Fifa break is suicidal for me. Having said that, I’m not leveling the blame on the PSL because they did not know that Sundowns would make it to the Carling Knockout final. I think dates were set before us qualifying for the final, so it is just unfortunate that it happens to be us.
“Just imagine if it was South Africa that played in Cameroon on Tuesday, where Divine Lunga was. Lunga will only be back in the country on Thursday morning and when will he train with the team to be able to play in the cup final?
“Based on that, I think in future it would be important to avoid having cup matches or a final immediately after the Fifa break because it causes unnecessary commotion. I’m just saying this for anyone else who could be in a final and having a lot of players in the national team,” the former Golden Arrows coach concluded.
The match between Sundowns and Magesi will be played from 18 hours.
