Mamelodi Sundowns coach Manqoba Mngqithi says the squad can’t get too caught up in their historic CAF Champions League win over Al Ahly in Cairo.
Sundowns have taken firm control of their destiny in Group A after nearly two weeks in Egypt which yielded four points including the 1-0 win over Pitso Mosimane’s record ten-time African champions.
The result marked their first-ever win and goal over the Red Devils in their home country which he admitted boosted the team morale but has called for calm as they look to meet their season’s objectives.
“I think the win against Al Ahly raised our spirits, we had not played some of our best football in the previous matches up until the game against Al-Merrikh where we unsatisfied even [against] Baroka,” he said.
“I think we were a little bit satisfied with how we played, unfortunately, the results in both matches didn’t favour us but now to get a big one like this against Al Ahly – everyone is now hyped up and looking forward to continuing where we ended.”
Mngqithi went on to state that their star-studded squad has built a culture to avoid complacency, even when they achieve the highs of the historic evening at the Cairo International Stadium as they give each opponent they face the same respect, irrespective of their standing or status.
“It’s always a catch 22 situation, to be honest, but I think the culture that we’ve embraced as a club is the culture of wanting to win every match that we play and that culture is seen even in friendly matches that we play – we still give the same intensity, the same willpower, the same willingness to go out and perform,” he explained.
“But as coaches on the other hand we also have to be very close to the players and make them understand that, these milestones, as small as they are of beating Al Ahly and finding yourself in a comfortable space in the league does not mean anything when you’ve not won any trophy.
“So it’s very important that they focus on their attention on the matches that we have to play and as it is now in the league I think every match of the last four or five matches is going to be cup finals.
“Everyone must understand that we have a responsibility to the brand, we have a responsibility to our supporters, the board, the president and the chairman of the club to make sure that we’re not just satisfied by one win – a win where we also believe we weren’t playing our best football.
“Maybe it’s something we can work on and bring ourselves stronger and fight harder so that we re-entrench ourselves in terms of the style of play and commitment to make sure. we get positive results in every match.”
Sundowns return to DStv Premiership action on Wednesday evening when they face TS Galaxy at Mbombela Stadium (19h30).
