After Mamelodi Sundowns trounced Mbabane Swallows in the CAF Champions League on Saturday, outspoken football analyst Junior Khanye says the Tshwane giants are not winning because of head coach Manqoba Mngqithi.
Khanye says Mngqithi should not do away with his predecessor Rulani Mokwena's style of play if he wants to succeed at The Brazilians.
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The former Kaizer Chiefs man says the Champions League group stage qualification was always bound to happen, regardless of who would have taken charge of the star-studded club.
"Manqoba, what he must do, he must stick to where Rulani Mokwena left. Even if he changes the team, it shouldn't be too much," Khanye notes, speaking to KickOff.
"That team signs players according to their philosophy. For instance, in the MTN8, Manqoba didn't know what he was doing there.
"I mean, you can't tell Sundowns players to play second balls and diagonal balls. Those players were signed because they are ball players.
"So, I think Mngqithi has now gone back to the drawing board judging by the past two games I have watched, including the other one from the Betway Premiership [against SuperSport United]," he goes on.
Khanye is quick to add that the Chloorkop-based outfit are not yet back to their best, although was impressed with Saturday's performance.
"I think they are now playing the way Sundowns should play. That's playing in departments.
"Sundowns' strength is on circulating the ball, preventing the opponents from having the ball. Most Sundowns players are national team players. Look [at] how they managed to beat that team, Mbabane Swallows, with a second-string team.
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"But no, no, no, it's not because of Manqoba Mngqithi. Sundowns players are winning because of their capabilities. They've switched on.
"Truly speaking, they don't need to be coached.
"Yes, he might instill discipline, but other than that, those players win for themselves."