Mamelodi Sundowns coach Manqoba Mngqithi admits it was something to ponder that they couldn’t muster a single shot on target against Orlando Pirates.
The 2021/22 domestic treble champions were below their usual standards despite creating several promising moments against the Buccaneers at Orlando Stadium in their first leg MTN8 semi-final.
With the game finishing 0-0, Pirates know they just need a score draw in the second leg to advance to the final but one of the most-talked about events of the game was the star-studded Downs squad not testing Pirates goalkeeper Richard Ofori throughout the 90 minutes of the opening encounter.
“It’s very rare I don’t want to lie but it was a game of small margins, if you look at the first chance from Ronwen [Williams] to Peter [Shaulile], leaving that ball to go through and just go straight the face the keeper, it’s a clear chance to take a shot and score,” Mngqithi said.
“And the same thing happened to Mudau on the opposite side, with nobody next to him, he balloons both crosses over the bar – it’s a very rare scenario for us not to have shot on target when we created so many moments that should have resulted on shots at goal.
“Peter in the second half had two moments, with Thapelo just on the edge of the 18-area, the second one towards the end of the second half. Both moments needed a little bit of composure, just to receive and put your body in front of the defender and be able to terminate the attack. But very unfortunate for us not to have created those moments.”
Sundowns will now turn their attention to the CAF Champions League qualification where they will face La Passe over two legs for a place in the Group Stages over the next week.
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