Mngqithi Emphasizes Sundowns' Squad Depth as Key to Dominance, Dismisses Competitors' Chances
Golden Arrows head coach Manqoba Mngqithi has reiterated his stance that Mamelodi Sundowns' unparalleled squad depth is the primary reason for their sustained dominance in the Betway Premiership and their ability to outpace their rivals.
With a substantial 15-point lead over second-placed Orlando Pirates, despite the latter's mathematical possibility of closing the gap, the league title appears to be firmly within Sundowns' grasp. Mngqithi, who previously held a prominent coaching position at Sundowns, has consistently emphasized the significance of squad depth, a factor he believes other teams sorely lack.
In an interview with iDiski Times senior writer Matshelane Mamabolo, featured in edition 196 of the newspaper, Mngqithi elaborated on his views, stating, "I also sounded controversial with a lot of people when I said these teams don’t have depth and they struggle to beat small teams."
He further explained that the issue is not a lack of quality among other clubs but rather their reliance on a consistent starting eleven. "It is not because the other clubs lack quality, but it is because you can guess their starting 11."
"And when you do that [use a consistently similar line-up], and you are competing on all these fronts, domestic league, cup competitions and the Champions League, it takes its toll on the players. So, you need to have a broader squad that can ultimately give you the chance to rest some players while not losing sight of the competition."
Mngqithi asserts that Sundowns' strategic squad management, a product of their experience and planning, has enabled them to maintain a high level of performance across multiple competitions. "I think at Sundowns, we had mastered that part, we focused on periodising the squad to be able to compete all the way to the end of the Champions League, which we just struggled to win."
He clarified that their Champions League struggles were not due to a lack of quality but rather the unforgiving nature of the competition. "And it was never really an issue of quality and all that, it was just that mistakes in the Champions League are really costly."
Mngqithi's insights highlight the strategic advantage that Sundowns possesses, with their ability to rotate players and maintain a high level of performance across a demanding schedule. This contrasts sharply with other teams, who often struggle to maintain consistency due to their reliance on a core group of players.
His comments underscore the challenges faced by Sundowns' competitors in their pursuit of silverware. The ability to effectively manage squad rotation and maintain a competitive edge across multiple fronts has proven to be a decisive factor in Sundowns' success. Mngqithi's analysis suggests that until other teams address their squad depth issues, Sundowns' dominance is likely to continue.