Mamelodi Sundowns head coach Manqoba Mngqithi seemed to pass the buck to the big players at the side for their lacklustre showing in the MTN8, and now ex-club midfielder Brent Carelse has given insight into what that sort of criticism does to players.
Sundowns have been average at best so far this season, as glaringly evidenced by needing a goal in extra-time for a 1-0 MTN8 quarterfinals victory over Polokwane City.
An own goal, nogal.
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That they are yet to click into gear under Mngqithi, who has taken over as head coach after the departure of Rulani Mokwena, is without doubt.
The 53-year-old has also seemingly complicated matters after introducing a new playing style, even during pre-season, at odds with what the players were used to under his predecessor.
After failing to score over two legs in the semi-finals against Stellenbosch FC, and being eventually knocked out 2-0 on aggregate, Mngqithi suggested the biggest reason why they are yet to live up to expectations is that some of their big players have also not come to party.
"We've been struggling with some of our key players in terms of performances," he told journalists in a post-match press conference.
"And it's very unfortunate because almost everybody played well during pre-season and you begin to wonder at this stage what is happening.
"But I think it's an area that maybe needs us as a team to look very closely [into], because it's two, if not three, consecutive matches where we've had some performances that were not at the level one would like them to be."
KickOff spoke to Carelse, to find out what such a comment by the head coach in public does to those pointed out, more so at a big club like Sundowns.
"I don't know how they would take it, but me personally, I used to get encouraged by it. If the players accept that they didn't perform, then accept it as senior players and big players and try to improve in the next game. That should be the motivation for them," the ex-player offered.
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"Look, Stellenbosch were outstanding in both legs, especially on the sides, your Devin Titus... he is very quick. Stellenbosch used a certain strategy and it worked.
"The big players at Sundowns maybe didn't pitch, but we have to give credit to Stellenbosch. I think they are cooking something there, it's exciting to see," concluded Carelse.