Why Mngqithi is happy with Pirates in CAF Champions League group stages

Published on by Joel Oliver, updated on

The Mamelodi Sundowns coach has explains what excites him about the Bucs’ progression

Mamelodi Sundowns coach Manqoba Mngqithi feels South African football is the major beneficiary of having both his team and Orlando Pirates in the CAF Champions League group stages.

Mngqithi watched his Sundowns team put on a good show to thrash Mbabane Swallows 4-0 to sail through to the group stages with a massive 8-0 aggregate score while Pirates beat Jwaneng Galaxy of Botswana 1-0 on Saturday and 3-0 on aggregate to qualify.

The Sundowns coach is thrilled to see Jose Riveiro’s men in the group stages which to him means more chances of a South African team winning the title.

Why is Manqoba Mngqithi excited about Pirates in the CL?

“It is very good for a big team like Pirates to be in the group stages and for South Africa to have two teams in the Champions League group stages is big and it is when you start to maximise the chances of a South African team winning Champions League,” said Mngqithi.

“It would be nice if both teams can also go through to the next round and quarter-finals and once we are there, anything is possible. It would be nice if we don’t win it, it’s won by Pirates or if Pirates do not win, we win it.”

'They don't know what I'm capable of': Mngqithi
Manqoba Mngqithi – Photo by Mamelodi Sundowns

Sundowns coach wants SA teams to emulate Egyptian sides

Mngqithi drew comparisons with Egyptian teams who have benefited from having multiple sides in the latter stages of the competition before one of them goes on to win it.

“Just like Zamalek were doing with Al Ahly for the longest time in the Champions League, it would really be nice to get ourselves to that level where it is not only the dominance of the North Africans. But in the SADC, we are well represented and I am very excited for Pirates to go through,” he added.

Sundowns and Pirates will now wait to know which group they land in when the draw for the Champions League group stage is conducted on October 7. 

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Joel Oliver

Joel Oliver is a seasoned multimedia sports journalist with a rich background in covering diverse football stories and events in South Africa and beyond.
His extensive coverage spans subjects touching on the PSL, with a focus on the Big Three (Orlando Pirates, Kaizer Chiefs & Mamelodi Sundowns), Bafana Bafana and Banyana Banyana.