Mamelodi Sundowns’ coach, Manqoba Mngqithi, recently shared how his team has turned what many saw as “disrespect” into a powerful motivator, helping them to perform at their best this season.

After a dominant 3-0 victory over Sekhukhune United, Sundowns reclaimed the top spot in the Betway Premiership.

This came after previous leaders, Orlando Pirates, suffered a 1-0 loss to Stellenbosch FC over the weekend, leaving both teams tied on 21 points.

However, Sundowns’ superior goal difference puts them ahead.

The Power of Disrespect

Reflecting on the early days of the season, Mngqithi admitted that there were many doubts surrounding the team, particularly after Rulani Mokwena’s departure.

But rather than letting the uncertainty affect them, Mngqithi saw it as an opportunity to motivate his players.

He encouraged them to exploit the fact that many teams underestimated their abilities.

He explained that this disrespect has led to more open games, which Sundowns have used to their advantage, scoring an impressive number of goals.

Motivating the Team

Mngqithi recalled telling his team, “Because of all the commotion surrounding the team, we will benefit a lot from being disrespected.”

He went on to highlight how opponents, thinking they could go “pound for pound” with Sundowns, often ended up leaving themselves vulnerable.

This allowed the team to strike and punish their opponents.

However, he also warned that there would come a time when teams would respect Sundowns, and this would bring a new set of challenges.

When that happens, he said, teams would focus on defensive strategies, aiming to limit Sundowns’ scoring opportunities.

A Shift in Strategy

Mngqithi pointed out that once teams respect Sundowns, they shift from trying to beat them to merely trying to stop them from scoring.

He mentioned that opponents would employ low-block defensive tactics to limit space and chances on goal, making it harder to win.

“That’s the stage where I’d want my team to understand we’re preparing for that phase,” he said.

But for now, Mngqithi’s team is capitalizing on the disrespect, making sure they punish those who underestimate them.

Respect Earned Through Performance

As the season progresses, Mngqithi believes Sundowns have earned more respect from their rivals.

He noted that teams are now opting for more defensive strategies, trying to minimize their risk of conceding goals.

“I was hoping that it would last longer,” Mngqithi admitted, enjoying the advantage of being underestimated.

“Unfortunately, people started to sit in,” he said, reflecting on the shift in tactics from opponents.

Sundowns’ impressive performances have forced their rivals to adopt a more cautious approach.

As Mngqithi pointed out, respect is earned through hard work and results: “That respect is not coming out of nothing. It’s coming from what these boys have done.”

This article was published on TDPel Media. Thanks for reading!

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