Mamelodi Sundowns coach Mngqithi not pressing panic buttons after dropping more points in Caf Champions League clash against AS FAR - 'This thing can tilt immediately'

At the Stade Ben Ahmed El Abdi on last night, Mamelodi Sundowns gave away a lead after Iqraam Rayners scored the opener and dropped two crucial points, which means they have not yet registered a win in the group stages.

The draw places them in second position in the group standings.

Coach Manqoba Mngqithi, however, remains optimistic about their journey ahead.

Speaking to the media after the match, he emphasized that the result does not make their mission impossible.

Sundowns performed well but could not secure all three points.

They must now focus on capitalizing in their home games. Despite setbacks, they still have every chance to progress further in the competition.

"I don't think it makes our mission in the group very difficult because I think we played very well, and under normal circumstances in a match like this, you win. But we did not win. It's still a very valuable point away from home, and we're still going to play them at home. This thing can tilt immediately when we play against them at home. They've got a bit of an advantage at the moment, but the fact that we've got two points can change this thing completely, you must be aware," said Mngqithi to the media.

"We are very confident we will do well, and I'm also very happy with how we played. I also want to commend the good work of their coach. I think he's an intelligent coach because he saw a very big overload immediately—before even the first 20 minutes—and made some changes within the structure of the team. That, for me, was a sign of somebody who was fully aware of what was happening on the pitch. I give a lot of credit to that."

"They are a very good team. We knew that Hrimat (Mohamed Rabie) would cause problems at the far post. Unfortunately, in a moment where I think my right-back was fouled in the AS FAR box, they immediately got a transition and managed to score. I'm not yet sure because I haven't reviewed it on video, but I do believe Mudau (Khuliso) was fouled inside the box."

Masandawana must remain positive after last night's draw, as they have not lost any matches in the group stages. Despite dropping four points so far, the gap between them and the top spot is manageable. The return fixture against AS FAR at home offers an opportunity to turn things around. Sundowns must focus on improving their finishing and defending transitions. Their campaign is still very much alive.

Mamelodi Sundowns now face another tough challenge as they prepare to host Raja Casablanca, another top side from Morocco. The match will take place at Loftus Versfeld Stadium on Sunday, December 15. Sundowns will aim to secure maximum points to strengthen their position in the group. This will be a critical game for their progression in the tournament.