'It would have been catastrophic' for Mamelodi Sundowns but beleaguered Manqoba Mngqithi is 'not pressing panic buttons' after uninspiring Carling Knockout and Caf Champions League outings

Mamelodi Sundowns have failed to win their last two games in two competitions, which has exerted more pressure on the Tshwane giants.

They were first beaten by Magesi in the Carling Knockout final last Saturday, before being held 0-0 by AS Maniema at home in their Caf Champions League Group B match on Tuesday.

Coach Manqoba Mngqithi admits it would have been a disaster had they lost to Maniema but he is not yet panicking.

"To be straightforward, I think in this group we have even more potential to win more matches away from home," Mngqithi told the media. 

"I see it like that, I also see us winning some matches at home. At this stage, I have not pressed any panic buttons because I think it would have been catastrophic had we lost this match after losing the final."

After seasons of enjoying supremacy in domestic football and the Champions League group stage, Masandawana are currently experiencing a difficult patch they have not endured in recent years.

That has placed Mngqithi's job at great risk as Sundowns are now in an unfamiliar position of chasing Orlando Pirates in the Premier Soccer League title race and missed out on two Cups.

In what could be a sign of pressure, Mngqithi has been blaming some of his players for the unfavourable results.

The Brazilians resume their bid to overtake Pirates on the PSL table when they host Sekhukhune United at Loftus Versfeld Stadium on Saturday.

It is a match Masandawana cannot afford to lose or draw after failing to win their last two games.