Manqoba Mngqithi makes a BIG call on Gift Motupa

Mamelodi Sundowns co-coach Manqoba Mngqithi hailed Gift Motupa “as one of the best finishers in the country” after his side’s 2-0 victory over Maritzburg United at Loftus Versfeld on Wednesday.

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Ricardo Nascimento’s penalty gave Mamelodi Sundowns the lead before Motupa wrapped up the three points with a thunderous low drive from the right-hand side of the box into the far corner.

And Mngqithi praised his side’s efficient display as well as hailing the qualities of Gift Motupa, who came in for Kermit Erasmus and was making just his second start of the season after an injury-blighted campaign since joining from the now defunct Bidvest Wits.

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“Not the best but business-like. We wanted to win the match. We had to give ourselves to the team and everybody ran because we knew we were playing against a very complicated team,” Mngqithi told SuperSport TV.

“Maritzburg is not an easy team for anyone, and I always tell people Ernst (Middendorp) is one of the top coaches. He may have been unlucky, but his strategies at times can put you off. We knew it was not going to be an easy one, and we had to take the few chances that we got and we were fortunate on the day to get a penalty.

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“Gift’s work and the group to try and give us a high-press and from there we get something it’s always good for the team and also the second goal I think he took it very well. And we’ve always known he is one of the best finishers in the country.

“I even spoke to him before the match (and told him) today is your day to score and when he scored he immediately pointed at me because he knew that I had told him that today is your day and I was very happy for that.

WATCH | GIFT MOTUPA SCORES HIS FIRST EVER GOAL FOR MAMELODI SUNDOWNS

“But more than anything else I want to give credit to my technical team, coach Rhulani (Mokwena), Steve (Komphela), coach Wendell (Robinson) for the clean sheet. The analysts, I think they are always spot on.

“The medical department for getting everybody into the team, the support staff, there’s very good things happening behind the scenes and the management of the team has been very supportive.

“In all our troubles and our journeys, they have been there and once again I want to thank the president and the board of the club because the resources we have sometimes, they make it easier for us to compete on all fronts under circumstances that are very difficult because when you count the number of matches that these players are expected to play. It’s very difficult and I really want to thank them for that.”