Manqoba Mngqithi pours heart out on Mamelodi Sundowns departure - 'I was disappointed, maybe there’s something they saw that I didn’t see'

Manqoba Mngqithi was appointed as Mamelodi Sundowns head coach in July 2024 but lasted just five months in that role.

He was replaced by Miguel Cardoso after being in charge of 20 games, in a run which included 13 wins, two draws and five defeats.

The 53-year-old has explained how he felt when he was unceremoniously sacked.

“I was disappointed, I cannot lie to you,” Mngqithi told iDiski Times.

“I was disappointed because, in my opinion, I still thought we were on a good run. I still thought we had achieved so much, and we had improved so much in most of the matrix that we wanted to improve on, and, in my naked eye, I just saw bigger potential in the group going forward.

“But be that as it may, I still had to accept the decision and move on because even in my own house or my own business, I take my decisions, and nobody must be telling me what to do," added the former AmaZulu coach.

"My decision is based on what I think is good for my business and I think that is what I did, and I cannot blame them for that. Maybe there’s something they saw that I didn’t see.”

Now at Arrows, Mngqithi would be out to prove he is a capable coach after his Sundowns exit.

Abafana Bes'thende are 10th on the PSL table and still have a chance to finish the season in the top three.

That is what is left for them to play for following early elimination from the Nedbank Cup.

Mngqithi's next assignment is the hosting of Kaizer Chiefs in a Premier Soccer League match on March 29.

It is a big test for Abafana Bes'thende as they face an Amakhosi side that is struggling for consistency.