Mngqithi reacts to Sundowns’ CAF Champions League group stage draw

Published on by Nkosiyabuya Sithole

Mamelodi Sundowns head coach Manqoba Mngqithi has given his thoughts on the CAF Champions League group stages draw for his side.

Masandawana are aiming to go further than the semifinals this time around having been eliminated in the last four by Esperance last season.

They have been pitted against Raja Casablanca (Morocco), AS FAR Rabat (Morocco) and Maniema Union (DR Congo).

Mngqithi says a difficult draw was unavoidable this season considering that almost all teams that qualified are formidable opponents.

He feels there is a small number of dark horses in the competition.

MNGQITHI ON CAF CL GROUP STAGES DRAW

“There could not have been any better draw in this group stages because, if you look at it very closely, the only ‘new' teams in the group stages are Maniema, maybe Stade d'Abidjan, and Sagrada [Esperanca] from Angola, who you could say are the ‘dark horses',” said Mngqithi.

“Then you also have an MC Alger, which is a team that was a very strong team in Algeria before going down, and now they are back again and have recruited quite well.

Mngqithi reacts to Sundowns' CAF Champions League group stage draw
Manqoba Mngqithi – Picture by Mamelodi Sundowns

“So, it makes it a very difficult competition at this stage for anyone because all the groups are very tough.”

While many feel Sundowns group is the most interesting one, Mngqithi feels otherwise. 

ARE SUNDOWNS IN A GROUP OF DEATH?

“I hear people say our group is the toughest, but I look at the Al Ahly group – with [Orlando] Pirates, CR Belouizdad, and Stade d'Abidjan, and if you look at our group – AS FAR and Raja are the two teams that have been doing very well in Morocco,” he defended.

“Then you go to the Esperance group, where they've got Pyramids, Sagrada, and there's that [Djoliba], which is a team that, honestly, I've never seen before, but I think it's a team from Mali, if I'm not mistaken.

“And, generally, all these groups present a difficulty for anyone, but be that as it may, if you want to win it, you want to play these kinds of matches.”

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Nkosiyabuya Sithole

Nkosiyabuya Sithole, a young and rising sports journalist based in Durban, South Africa, harbors a deep passion for football. Nevertheless, he aspires to become a well-rounded journalist, adept in various areas of the field.

Nkosi's career began in 2020, working as a home-based writer during the COVID-19 pandemic. He has since written for various websites, including Briefly News, FiND-iT News, and The South African. Attending live sporting events is a particular pleasure for him, as they provide opportunities for interaction with sports personalities.

Outside of the office, he's a God-fearing and affable young man.