In a surprising upset, Mamelodi Sundowns experienced their first league loss of the season, falling 1-0 to Polokwane City at Old Peter Mokaba Stadium on Sunday, October 27, 2024. This defeat sharply contrasts with Sundowns’ recent performances, where they celebrated seven consecutive wins across all competitions. After the match, coach Manqoba Mngqithi candidly shared his disappointment regarding his team’s display.
Polokwane City vs Sundowns: Game Highlights
The match kicked off with both teams looking to assert themselves early on. Polokwane City struck first, taking the lead in the 15th minute through a well-placed header from their striker, who capitalized on a corner kick. Sundowns struggled to find their rhythm in the first half, with their best chance coming from Tashreeq Matthews, whose shot was blocked by the Polokwane defense.
As the second half unfolded, Sundowns increased their attacking efforts. They created several opportunities but failed to convert, including a notable chance in the 62nd minute when Iqraam Rayners found himself one-on-one with the goalkeeper but shot wide. The pressure intensified for Polokwane, who had to defend resolutely against Sundowns’ attacking wave.
Despite Sundowns dominating possession in the latter stages of the game, they were unable to break through. A late chance fell to Sphelele Mkhulise, whose powerful shot was parried away by the Polokwane keeper, sealing Sundowns’ fate as the match ended 1-0.
Performance Under Scrutiny
Mngqithi delivered a blunt evaluation, admitting he was “not impressed” with several facets of the game. He pointed out the lack of pace in their play, the failure to create scoring chances, and poor decision-making at crucial moments. Having previously netted five goals against Lamontville Golden Arrows just a week before, Sundowns’ inability to threaten Polokwane left Mngqithi deeply concerned.
“The game was played at a slow pace. We didn’t execute the fast ball movement necessary to dominate the match and put pressure on our opponents,” he stated. The coach’s criticism also encompassed the players’ execution in the final third, where missed opportunities led to evident frustration.
Credit to Polokwane
While expressing dissatisfaction with his team, Mngqithi also acknowledged Polokwane City’s strong performance. Coach Phuti Mohafe’s squad showcased resilience, climbing to fourth place in the league standings with this significant victory. “We have to commend them — they played effectively and earned their win,” he said, recognizing the challenges Sundowns faced in breaking through a well-organized defense.
Mngqithi recalled several key moments where his team had the chance to capitalize but ultimately failed to do so, particularly in the second half. “In the second half, there were tense moments where they really looked strong. It was unfortunate we didn’t manage to convert our biggest opportunities,” he lamented.
Moving Forward
With their next match against Cape Town City approaching at Loftus Versfeld on Wednesday, October 30, 2024, Sundowns will need to recover swiftly. Mngqithi underscored the importance of addressing their shortcomings: “We must focus on these areas to improve, as we believed we had made significant progress.”
As Sundowns gear up for their upcoming encounter, all eyes will be on their response to this defeat. Fans will be eager to see if the team can return to their winning ways and continue their quest for the league title.
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