In a strange sequence of events, Mamelodi Sundowns coach Manqoba Mngqithi sought to congratulate his Betway Premiership rivals Orlando Pirates before his own, after both sides qualified for the Caf Champions League over the weekend.
Perhaps seeing his own side’s 8-0 aggregate win over Mbabane Swallows of eSwatini as something of a procession, Mngqithi made special mention of the Soweto Giants.
Sundowns beat Swallows 4-0 in both their away leg last week, and then again by the same score at home in Pretoria on Saturday.
Pirates, meanwhile, had a slightly more competitive two-legged affair with Botswana’s Jwaneng Galaxy. The Buccaneers triumphed 3-0 over the two ties, and only completed a 1-0 victory after a 90th minute winner at home thanks to a Monnapule Saleng strike.
‘A big team like Pirates’
Speaking after his side’s thumping triumph, Mngqithi said: “I must congratulate Pirates first, it’s very good for a big team like Pirates to be in the group stages and South Africa to have two teams in the Caf Champions League group stages that’s big.
“And that’s when you start to maximise the chances of a South African team winning the Champions League.”
Hoping the strong run of both sides continued, Mngqithi said it would be ‘nice’ if both teams go through to the quarterfinals.
“And it will be nice if we don’t win its and it’s won by Pirates. Or if Pirates doesn’t win it, we win it (Sundowns). Just like Zamalek, they have been doing it with Al Ahly for the longest of time in the Champions League.
“So, it will really be nice to get ourselves to that level where it’s not only the dominance of the North Africans but also in the SADC we are well represented and I’m very excited for Pirates to go through and very excited that our boys (Sundowns) made through to the group stages.”