Has Mngqithi lost his job? Sundowns set to unveil a new coach

Published on by Willis Sob

Has Mngqithi lost his job? Sundowns set to unveil a new coach
Manqoba Mngqithi, Image - Mamelodi Sundowns

Defending Premier Soccer League champions Mamelodi Sundowns are set to hold a presser on Tuesday midday to announce a new coach.

Masandawana have been inconsistent under coach Manqoba Mngqithi who was given the mandate to steer the team forward after the exit of Rulani Mokwena who has since been serving Moroccan Botola Pro League side Wydad Athletic Club.

Mngqithi saw his team get eliminated from the MTN8 in the semi-final stage before Magesi FC beat them in Carling Knockout. Things have not been well in the Caf Champions League where the Brazilians were held to a goalless draw at home by debutants AS Maniema Union before another 1-1 draw with AS FAR Rabat last weekend.

What does the future hold for Mngqithi?

According to the Times Live, the club's management is set to confirm a new coach to take over from the former Golden Arrows tactician.

“The Betway Premiership defending champions will unveil a European coach who will take over the reigns from incumbent Manqoba Mngqithi,” they reported on Tuesday.

“It is unclear whether Mngqithi will be demoted to assistant coach or removed altogether with his technical staff of Steve Komphela, Wendell Robinson, Kennedy Mweene, and Romain Folz.”

It seems like there has been new developments regarding the next role of Manqoba Mngqithi at the club with agent appearing to be contradicting previous statements about his client's position within the club. Significant changes have taken place in the Tshwane giants technical team with Rulani Mokwena departing the club last week.  Sundowns moved swiftly to add a new member to the coaching contingent with Steve Komphela returning to assume his role as Senior Coach which was previously held by Mngqithi under Mokwena. Last week, Mngqithi’s agent Mike Makaab said the former Golden Arrows coach would not be appointed as either a head coach or an assistant coach. WHAT DID MIKE MAKAAB SAY ABOUT MANQOBA MNGQITHI’S FUTURE LAST WEEK? “It’s a different position that I can’t discuss, it’s not an assistant, but not a head coach, it’s something pretty different but on the coaching side, which I think is unique in South African football but not unique to European football,” said Makaab on Extra-time on Gagasi FM. “I am confident that during the course of this week we will finalise a deal for Manqoba,” he added.  “The majority of the terms of the agreement have been agreed and it obviously it was difficult for us, probably more difficult for Mamelodi Sundowns to bring it to finality because we didn’t know what was happening behind the scenes, and Mamelodi Sundowns obviously knew that these discussions were on-going with coach Rulani. “I guess that’s why there has been this delay, I am hoping that, now that the dust is starting to settle, cause it’s a big change, we’ll finally put pen to paper and put all of this speculation aside.” In a surprising turn of events, Makaab stated that Mngqithi will be the new head coach of Sundowns, with Komphela assisting. FRESH UPDATE ON MNGQITHI’S NEW POSITION AT SUNDOWNS “Manqoba was the Senior Coach assisting Rulani Mokwena,” he said on GagasiFM‘s Extra-Time on Monday. “So, at this stage, Manqoba will take over as the Head Coach, and again it will be clarified over the weeks and months to come, and Steve Komphela returns as the Senior Coach. “It’s always been the case that they’ve worked incredibly well together, they have enormous respect for each other. “And I think it’s a very smart move by  Mamelodi Sundowns Sundowns to bring Steve back.”
Manqoba Mngqithi, Steve Komphela

Prior to his promotion, Mngqithi served as an assistant coach to Mokwena, and as stated above, it will be interesting to see where he will be put if indeed a new coach is confirmed in the next couple of hours.

Sundowns are top of the Premier Soccer League table with 21 points, the same as Orlando Pirates who have an inferior goal difference.

Has Mngqithi lost his job? Sundowns set to unveil a new coach

Willis Sob

Willis Sob is an experienced journalist who has been in the game since 2009, covering major assignments around the continent.
His hunger for African football is unmatched, always getting the best angles and facts to feed the fans and quench their thirst.

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