Mamelodi Sundowns coach Manqoba Mngqithi says he felt it was necessary to give thanks to the supporters in a special way after a memorable season ended with a domestic treble success.
Sundowns secured the Nedbank Cup final over Marumo Gallants in dramatic fashion under the cool breeze inside the Royal Bafokeng Stadium on Saturday evening with substitute Thapelo Morena scoring the winner in the 2-1 victory with virtually the last kick of the game in extra-time.
It sparked wild scenes of jubilation with the technical team speeding onto the pitch to join in on the goalscoring celebrations while at full-time there was a pitch invasion which saw the players rush into the dressing room to take cover for safety as thousands filtered in from the stands.
But upon returning to the field in order to complete the trophy handover and celebrations, Mngqithi notably moved away from the rest of the squad for a moment to walk straight to the supporters, whilst some jumped over the barriers to envelop him with praise while taking selfies during the touching moment.
“I felt it was necessary for me as a leader of the technical department when the situation was bad like that on the pitch, we would end leaving them without even saying thank you, to be honest, they have really endured a hard season where they couldn’t even come to the stadiums,” Mnqithi said in response to iDiski Times at the Royal Bafokeng Stadium on Saturday evening.
“At times they would come to the stadium and just be outside, hit that drum and sing outside the stadium to try and support us. And when we win the treble, just to walk away without saying thank you, for me, that would not have been fair.
“That’s why I took a moment to say let me just show that, in as much as it could have been very dangerous for everyone else to do it because when there were a lot of people [inside the pitch] anything could have happened. But I just felt that at least one of us shows they appreciate them and he knows the value that they add to this wonderful club.”
