Mamelodi Sundowns coach Manqoba Mngqithi says they have the potential to win more games away from home in the CAF Champions League this season.
After the 0-0 draw against Linafoot side AS Maniema Union at home, the group stage debutants to open the campaign, as ASFAR beat Raja Athletic Club in Group B, the Sundowns boss suggested the way teams set up in their home ground will be advantageous to their cause.
“To be straightforward in this group, I think we have more potential to win more matches away from home, I see it like that, I also see us winning some matches at home, at this stage I’ve not pressed any panic buttons,” he said in the post-match press conference.
Join the iDiski Times WhatsApp Channel for all latest SA football news directly to your phone.
With a point at Loftus Versfeld, the major talking point was the six changes to the starting line-up with Artur Sales, Kobamelo Kodisang, Erwin Saavedra, Divine Lunga, Malinbongwe Khoza and Thapelo Morena introduced in what was a rather uninspiring performance for the Tshwane giants.
“I think it could have been catastrophic to have lost this match after losing the final. Going into this match with all the problems we had, look at the number of days, the number of matches and how much of a change we had to make, based on the physiological challenges we had,” he explained.
“I strongly believe if we were to take out all those underlying circumstances, maybe in this match we could have been even far stronger than what we were and be that as it may, I still believe the group that played today, also gave a good account of themselves.
“It’s just that final decisions, that final touches and maybe not taking advantage of some good breaks we got, we had a 2v1, and no shot at goal, things like that are the ones that will infuriate you. But the truth of the matter, there’s a lot of positives to take out, under the circumstances.”
Sundowns now turn their attentions to Sekhukhune United and AmaZulu in the league before travelling to Morocco to face ASFAR on 7 December.
