By Michael Madyira
Former Mamelodi Sundowns striker Katlego Mashego has urged the Brazilians to resolve Manqoba Mngqithi’s contract issue.
Mngqithi has entered the final six months of his Sundowns contract and is yet to sign a new deal.
After the 51-year-old was demoted from the co-head coach role to the senior coach post last October, there were reports that he was unhappy with the changes.
Now, with him not having extended his stay at the club, rumours have been fuelled that he could be on his way out of Chloorkop.
But Mashego says there is no need for the Tshwane giants to change their technical team set-up because they are doing well.
The former Bafana Bafana forward fears if Sundowns let Mngqithi go, they might disturb themselves.
“He has done well, he has been there for years,” Mashego told Scrolla.Africa.
“It’s working for them, nothing is broken so why would they need to fix it?
“I think he has to stay but that is if he wants to stay. Unless he has the idea of doing things by himself elsewhere.
“Now there is no need to let him go but if they don’t keep him, then it’s another story. But I think their set-up is working well, the club is winning.”
Following Mngqithi’s demotion, Rhulani Mokwena was elevated to the head coach role while Steve Komphela became the first-team coach.
Under Mokwena, Sundowns have won eight straight Premier Soccer League matches and they are currently sitting on a 13-match winning run.
Mashego, also a former Orlando Pirates star, feels releasing Mngqithi could be a mistake but that can only be seen by their results next season.
“Maybe it would be a mistake but also, you wouldn’t know if letting him go would be a mistake. You will only realise you made a mistake after not renewing his contract,” Mashego said.
“Maybe next season if their performance is affected but it’s up to the club to decide if they want to keep him or not. We do not know the internal happenings at the club. We don’t know how the coaches are working.”
Mngqithi has been with Sundowns since February 2014 when he was roped in by ex-head coach Pitso Mosimane.
Pictured above: Manqoba Mngqithi
Image source: Mamelodi Sundowns
