Sundowns coach: Some players didn't perform...

Manqoba Mngqithi has explained what he believes are some of the reasons behind Mamelodi Sundowns' players under-performing during the MTN8 quarterfinal against Polokwane City.

Sundowns were made to sweat for their spot in the semifinals of the competition, beating Rise and Shine 1-0 after extra time at Lucas Masterpieces Moripe Stadium on Sunday.

READ | Mngqithi weighs in on Onyango red card

For the league's reigning champions to be taken all the way to extra time by a team that finished eighth, did raise more than a few eyebrows. The positive side to Sundowns' play under the new-look technical team, however, was the number of chances fashioned.

The head coach lamented his side's missed opportunities.

"To be honest, I think we had a very good start in the game, created a lot of chances in the first 30 minutes, probably created more than 17 good chances, but unfortunately when you don't take those chances... you hit the upright twice," Mngqithi said.

"I think Peter's [Shalulile] header was just short of direction, but everything else was good.

"When you don't score, then you start to panic, you start to develop an element of anxiety. In the second half, we kept pushing again. Unfortunately, even there, there were some moments we could have capitalized on, I think.

"I think 'Mshishi' [Themba Zwan] could have scored, I think [Thapelo] Maseko could have done something. There are many moments that we created chances but not as clear as the first half ones.

"I think after he red, we recollected ourselves. We strategized.

"But overall, if there is any element of unhappiness, it would be over the amount of chances missed because most of the questions would not be asked if the chances were buried."

ALSO READ | Mngqithi weighs in on Onyango red card

Probed further, Mngqithi could not hide the feeling that some of his charges were not up to scratch.

"The first match of the season will always have some elements of anxiety, some elements of desperation and maybe sometimes even more caused by the level of motivation of wanting to try and make sure you don't disappoint the coach when he [the player] gets an opportunity," the 53-year-old explained.

"I think that's where some of the mistakes bordered around because I think some of the players did not perform at the level I expected because they made some silly mistake technically and they started to lose the momentum of the game.

"But I am very happy we are through to the second round."

Sundowns will not meet Stellenbosch in the last four of the cup competition.