Shalulile addresses the press. Photo Courtesy Sundowns Media.
Mamelodi Sundowns top striker Peter Shalulile has reacted with positive energy to the Betway Premiership defending champions’ unconvincing start to the CAF Champions League group stage campaign.
He said this after the South Africa giants drew 0-0 against AS Maniema Union in a Group B opener at Loftus Versfeld Stadium in Pretoria on Tuesday.
Amid growing pressure on Sundowns coach Manqoba Mgqithi, Shalulile has called for calm, promising a return to winning ways. In a video posted on the club’s Facebook page, the Namibian said: “Today was not the result we wanted but come on Saturday, support us, come and have fun. You will see us winning this game.”
The Brave Warriors player was referring to their next domestic league game against Sekhukhune United in Pretoria. Earlier, Mgqithi told the press after the match that he had issues with the commitment and performance of his players in Tuesday’s game. The coach did not disclose the identities of the players in question.
Against the Congolese opposition, the 2016 CAF Champions League winners seemed to have run out of ideas for dealing with their defensive opponents. The result tasted like a defeat for Sundowns who are licking the wounds of a 2-1 loss to minnows Magesi FC in the Carling Cup final on Saturday.
In a post-match interview, AS Maniema Union coach Papi Kimoto insisted that the Pretoria-based opponents are still the favourites in the group despite the slow start.
“We’re happy with one point but Sundowns are still favourites to top the group. Sundowns are favourites,” he said.
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