Orlando Pirates

Manqoba Mngqithi. Photo: Frikkie Kapp/Backpagepix

Orlando Pirates vs Sundowns: Brazilians go for the jugular

Mamelodi Sundowns won’t set out their stall to play a negative game when they face Orlando Pirates on Saturday according to coach Manqoba Mngqithi.

Orlando Pirates

Manqoba Mngqithi. Photo: Frikkie Kapp/Backpagepix

Mamelodi Sundowns won’t set out their stall to play a negative game when they face Orlando Pirates on Saturday according to coach Manqoba Mngqithi.

Mngqithi says that Sundowns have done their homework and are prepared to unlock the Orlando Pirates defence.

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Ready for Orlando Pirates

The coach made it clear that they are ready for Pirates new system employed under Spanish manager Jose Riveiro.

“I believe the preparations have gone extremely well; but, after the FIFA Break, it is uncertain if there will be another match before such a crucial encounter. There will always be uncertainty over the team’s reaction after the break, but in terms of preparations, I believe everything has gone quite well. We have analyzed the opposition’s 3-4-3 formation, which they have adopted this season, as well as the fact that they are fitter and occasionally have two forwards and one 10. Sometimes they play with one striker and two number 10s, with two central midfielders and two number 10s forming a block in the midfield.”

Orlando Pirates
Innocent Maela of Orlando Pirates challenged by Peter Shalulile of Mamelodi Sundowns. Photo: Samuel Shivambu/BackpagePix

Sundowns coach promises goals

Mngqithi insists that there will be goals this weekend although with a second leg in waiting this match can of course end in a stalemate.

ALSO READ: Orlando Pirates aren’t sweating their history against Sundowns

“It’s going to be a very intriguing contest, and I’m looking forward to a very great football encounter with a lot of goals because this game deserves goals, and I’m curious as to which team will score the most. As a team, we always enter a game with the intention of winning; this is our advantage. We put out our best effort; we’re not going to sit back and let them play in front of us.

“We have no intention of going there and merely watching them play in front of us; that is not our plan.” We will not travel to Orlando with the intention of returning with a tie and hoping to win in the second leg. We have too much experience in this area of two-legged contests, and we know what will likely occur. If we bring our A-game and match their hunger, I believe that our superior quality will ultimately win.”

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