Former Kaizer Chiefs winger Junior Khanye believes that Mamelodi Sundowns coach Manqoba Mngqithi must shoulder the blame for his side’s MTN8 first leg semi-final loss to Stellenbosch FC on Wednesday.
Fawaaz Basadien converted a second-half penalty as Stellies held on to claim a huge 1-0 advantage ahead of this weekend’s second leg clash at the Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban.
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Khanye emphasized that because Mngqithi issued instructions, he should take the blame on their loss as they played an unusual style, while criticizing him on his usage of Themba Zwane as an impact player against a speedy Stellies side.
“I’m giving this loss to coach Manqoba Mngqithi. He has to take the blame,” Khanye said on iDiski TV.
“You can’t change these players’ way of playing. This team has been playing for many years, winning the league with the same identity. Sundowns played as if there were no midfielders today. The ball moves from the back, jumps the midfield and goes upfront so that they drop it and play the second ball. And that’s not their strength.
“You can’t use Mshishi [Themba Zwane] as an impact player, he’s slow but he’s a thinker. Of course, he knows football, he’s a star player and has done well but taking him from the bench to win the game is not easy especially against a speedy team like Stellenbosch. It is very difficult.
“I don’t understand why Manqoba was pushing too high when he knew that Stellenbosch is speedy. Why must there be a gap between the goalkeeper and the defense, why do that.
“That is why I say Manqoba must take the blame because those are his instructions. Sundowns deserved to lose today, and the coach must take the blame.”
