‘Not Impressed’: Mngqithi slams Gallants’ negative’ defensive tactics

Manqoba Mngqithi didn’t mince his words after Golden Arrows were eliminated from the Carling Knockout Cup semi-final, criticising Marumo Gallants for deploying overly defensive tactics to secure their penalty shootout victory.

The match at the King Zwelithini Stadium on Sunday finished in a dramatic 2-2 draw after extra time, but Gallants ultimately progressed to the final with a 3-2 win on penalties.

Gallants’ Calculated Retreat

Mngqithi’s criticism stems from a tactical shift by the Gallants bench in the final half-hour of the game. Gallants opted for a conservative approach, with their coach Alexandre Lafitte admitting post-match that his players were fatigued and they felt their best chance of winning lay in a penalty shootout.

As Gallants retreated into a defensive shell, Arrows completely dominated possession. Abafana Be’sthende recorded 77% possession and registered six shots on target during that period, while Gallants failed to produce a single effort on goal.

Mngqithi expressed his disappointment, acknowledging that his team ultimately fell into the strategic trap laid by their opponents.

“I don’t think I have ever seen a team create so many chances in 15 minutes, but at the end of the day, they came with a strategy… They knew [Washington] Arubi is very strong on penalties. They came with a strategy to try and mitigate the pain by making sure they don’t concede,” said Mngqithi.

Doubting the Strategy

The Gallants strategy was certainly influenced by goalkeeper Washington Arubi, who is renowned as a penalty stopper in the PSL. He single-handedly dumped Mamelodi Sundowns out of the competition in the first round by saving three penalties.

Despite recognising the threat, Mngqithi remained hopeful that Gallants’ conservative approach would ultimately backfire.

“But I was still optimistic that on what they think might be their strength, maybe that is where they might have still even lost the game. Because for me, being that negative in a football match and hoping to win on penalties never really works sometimes,” he asserted.

The former Sundowns coach did not hold back in suggesting that this defensive strategy is unsustainable for long-term success.

“I think that will backfire one day because I don’t think they applied themselves, and the summary of it is that they are in the final. I am not impressed with their football, but they are in the final,” the tactician lamented.

Mngqithi’s own troops have earned praise throughout the season for their dynamic, attacking style of play, but their approach wasn’t enough to secure the win. He concluded with a poignant remark summarising the harsh reality of cup football:

“Impressed with my football, and not in the final. That’s football for you.”