By Monwabisi Jimlongo
Meticulous planning before the beginning of the 2020/21 season has brought brilliant results to Mamelodi Sundowns as they have had a great start to this term.
And the 2016 African champions have set themselves a target of 72 points by the end of the current season.
This was revealed by Sundowns co-coach Manqoba after the Brazilians beat Baroka FC 2-0 in a DStv Premiership fixture at the Peter Mokaba Stadium in Polokwane on Saturday afternoon.
Lyle Lakay and Themba Zwane’s goals made sure that the unbeaten Brazilians notched their seventh win of the season with three draws.
‘‘In our planning for the season, we put out that we wanted to achieve 12 points from every five matches. In the first cycle we got 13 points, in the second cycle we got 11, this gives us what we wanted to achieve,’’ said Mngqithi.
‘‘One is very happy. As a group, coaches worked very hard, players worked very hard, analysts have worked very hard, everybody around the team has worked very hard. Our conditioning department has kept us strong. Credit must be given to all of them. They have kept the team fresh and ready. We really appreciate what we have achieved thus far.’’
Having seen how the Brazilians have been going about doing their work, the former school teacher has added that Sundowns’ best is yet to come.
The Brazilians have done incredibly well in front of goals scoring 19 times in 10 matches and conceding only five.
‘‘This is just the beginning. We still have a long way to go. We can stay focused and keep our feet on the ground,’’ he said.
Meanwhile, Mngqithi has described Friday’s CAF Champions League group stages draw as tricky.
Sundowns were drawn in Group B together with TP Mazembe from the Democratic Republic of Congo, Sudanese side Al Hilal and CR Belouizdad from Algeria.
‘‘It’s quite tricky. At this stage of the Champions League you can expect anything. One would have loved to have a little bit more of direct flights. Even Lubumbashi doesn’t have direct flights at this stage,’’ Mngqithi said.
‘‘In terms of opponents, it’s quite tricky. Al Hilal, in my mind, are a team that looks a little bit stronger. Travelling to that side is
not always the easiest. I hope when we play at home we get maximum points. Mazembe are tricky. One is a little bit fortunate because supporters are not coming to the stadiums. That environment can be hostile.
‘‘The team from Algeria is a new kid on the block. We have to tread carefully and look on what they are offering. The only bad thing is that we never have a direct flights, we have go to Europe, that is a strain on the team. We are hopeful that we will get it right.’’
The group stages matches are going to start on the second weekend of February and finish on the second weekend of April.
