Mamelodi Sundowns coach Manqoba Mngqithi has blamed his side’s shock loss to Polokwane City on their poor decision-making in the final third.
Sundowns suffered their first loss of the season when they went down 1-0 away to Polokwane in a game that they were second best in most of the contest, which leaves them second on the table.
Sundowns did not create any chance of note and had no shot on target, showing how poor they were on the day.
“Let’s be honest, our first-half we were just nowhere,” Mngqithi told SuperSport TV.
How did Sundowns fail against Polokwane?
“In the final third, we could not make any combinations. We did get into the final third several times where maybe a better decision from Tash [Tashreeq Matthews], a better decision from Iqraam [Rayners].
“Those moments when you don’t translate them into chances, which is almost the same thing that happened in midweek.”
Bulelani Nikani scored the all-important goal eight minutes from time when he directed home from Cole Alexander’s freekick and Mngqithi acknowledged his team set up to contain Polokwane’s threat on set-pieces but failed.
Mngqithi admits Sundowns’ game plan failed
“On the day, it was just not to be, and we must congratulate the opponents. They fought, they were strong, and we always knew their strength on set-pieces which is why we tried to load ourselves with aerially strong players to be able to deal with that,” he added.
“But I think we caught up in a game where not many things were going right for us. We had almost all our best players on the day but unfortunately the result was not to be.
“We knew it was not going to be easy. We never took it for granted because we know they are a team that always gives us a lot of trouble but unfortunately on the day it was just not to be.”
Sundowns will need to regroup quickly after the setback as they have a home match against Cape Town City on Wednesday.
