Carling Knockout Cup

Mngqithi breaks silence on playing CKC final after international break

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Manqoba Mngqithi coach of Mamelodi Sundowns during 2024 Carling Knockout Cup Mamelodi Sundowns Media Day at Chloorkop on the 20 November 2024 in Midrand © Sydney Mahlangu /BackpagePix

Mamelodi Sundowns coach Manqoba Mngqithi has expressed his dissatisfaction with the Carling Knockout Cup’s fixture being held right after the FIFA international break.

The Brazilians are scheduled to face Magesi FC in the Carling Knockout Cup final at the Free State Stadium in Bloemfontein on Saturday evening.

However, Mngqithi is not happy with the decision to play the final straight after the international, as it does not give his returning players enough time to prepare for the match ahead.

“I don’t think the area [time] where the final is put is fair to anyone. Not immediately after the Fifa break, but sometimes you must just accept whatever comes because I think where we are playing Sekhukhune United [the following Saturday, 30 November, in the league], we could have played the final there and it would have been better.

“Maybe you could still have a league match on that weekend, but not immediately after the Fifa break when we have got so many players that are in national teams.

“But what can we do? We have to go with what we have and we must accept that burdens and blessings always go together.”