Golden Arrows head coach Mandla Ncikazi says the clinical nature of Mamelodi Sundowns proved the difference as they stumbled out of the Carling Knockout Cup on Tuesday evening at Loftus Versfeld.
Arrows fell to back-to-back defeats since Ncikazi’s arrival, with a 1-0 defeat to Sundowns – as Iqraam Rayners netted a 68th minute winner, deflecting Antonio van Wyk’s effort beyond Dumisani Msibi.
Reflecting on the defeat, that will now see them turn their attentions on climbing the league table, Ncikazi said his side produced a pleasing display – but was notable what the difference was.
“There’s two ways to choose you have to box smart against Sundowns, does your quality allow you to go 50/50? Where can you benefit? We got the spaces, but the final passes [wasn’t there],” he said.
“We changed the way we pressed, formation, based on the personel we brought on, we had some half chances, but we’re not clinical as them.
“They scored from their half-chance, but no ifs and buts, we go home, try and make the team better, that’s why we are coaches.”
Arrows will now have three weeks before their next league game where Ncikazi will return to Orlando when they face Orlando Pirates on 28 November.