Mngqithi singles out two TP Mazembe stars Sundowns should worry about

Mamelodi Sundowns co-coach Manqoba Mngqithi has singled out two TP Mazembe players whom he feels are a threat ahead of Tuesday’s CAF Champions League match at Loftus Versveld Stadium.

According to Mngqithi, players such as Joseph Ochaya and Tresor Mputu are influential for TP Mazembe, and at least he saw this in the first leg.

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Mputu, 35, came from the bench and scored Mazembe’s consolation goal as Sundowns ran 2-1 winners in Lubumbashi two weeks ago.

And Mngqithi admits the veteran attacker gave Sundowns a hard time even at his age.

“They have some very influential players. Players like Jeje (Joseph Ochaya), Tresor Mputu are very influential,” Mngqithi told the Sundowns website.

“He (Mputu) may be old but those few minutes he came on, he gave us a lot of problems. He even scored a goal,” he said.

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Mngqithi further revealed that Sundowns know to expect from TP Mazembe but warned that they will not take this match for granted, adding that the pressure is on the DR Congo giants.  

This is because TP Mazembe’s chances of advancing to the knockout stages are very slim as they find themselves with just two points from three games.

Sundowns are almost through to the knockout stages as they have already picked up nine points, and a win over TP Mazembe will see them advance.     

“We know what to expect from them. We are not taking this game for granted. They have their backs against the wall,” added Mngqithi.  

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“They will give a good account for themselves as they need the results for them to stay in the hunt within the group.

“If anything happens in the other game (Al Hilal and Belouizdad), they know that their chances are limited as the games are getting slower.”

“It is very important that we approach this game very well and a result tomorrow will guarantee a place in the knockout stages,” added Mngqithi.