Former Orlando Pirates midfielder Steve Sekano believes Mamelodi Sundowns sabotaged Manqoba Mngqithi leading to his sacking.
Mngqithi took over from Rulani Mokwena in July but lasted barely six months before Miguel Cardoso took his position. The Portugese's first competitive game was on Sunday in Group B's Caf Champions League outing.
The defending Premier Soccer League champions played well and ended up claiming a vital 1-0 win over Raja Casablanca to register their first win in the pool.
Teboho Mokoena and Khuliso Mudau, who had issues with Mngqithi before solving them, were one of the players who delivered in that fixture. Sekano now believes Masandawana players just didn't want Mngqithi at the club and ended up sabotaging him through a below-par performance.
Unhappy players influenced others at Sundowns
“This is Sundowns that we know, the approach was the best. They created so many chances, they were all over Raja and they controlled the game from the first whistle, because they wanted to win by hook or by crook,” he told Radio2000.
“The hunger, they could share the ball among each other and the confidence as well. Players did not respect Manqoba, I think there were issues, other players were not happy with the coach, that's why players were not performing at their best.
“Because, once one or two players are not happy, they influence others. As a coach you start having problems, even if you think [you have control] but players will always be players, they will make sure you don't get the results that you want, that's why Sundowns struggled so much,” Sekano concluded.
Cardoso's first Premier Soccer League game will be on Wednesday against Stellenbosch – who eliminated them from the MTN8, at the Cape Town Stadium.
