John Maduka bemoans missed chances in Mamelodi Sundowns defeat | OneFootball

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Maduka laments missed goal-scoring opportunities after Sundowns defeat

Photo: Phillip Maeta

Magesi FC head coach John Maduka believes his side held their own against the rampant Mamelodi Sundowns but were let down by their lack of cutting edge in front of goals.

The Limpopo-based outfit fell to a 2-0 defeat to the reigning Betway Premiership champions at Seshego Stadium on Wednesday evening, despite managing to prevent Miguel Cardoso’s side from having a shot on target in the first half.

The Malawian tactician is adamant his team deserved something from the match, particularly in the first half, where he believes his troops’ performance on both ends of the pitch suffocated the Tshwane giants.

“Of course, it’s very painful [to lose in that manner] because if you look at the game itself, it was a game of two halves. In the first half we had them, created good scoring opportunities, unfortunately we did not convert them to goals,” said Maduka.

“So, when you don’t score goals against a team like this, they came out totally different in the second half, so that’s the only problem. But in the first half the boys were on another level, we took the game to Sundowns, it was difficult for them to deal with us but unfortunately, we could not score goals.

Maduka went on to react to the signing of former Orlando Pirates midfielder Nkanyiso Zungu, who is somewhat a troubled figure off the field. The 29-year-old was roped in on a free transfer after his exit at Pretoria Callies.

“Yes [I have always wanted Zungu], it was good to have Zungu, it’s good to have him in the team. He is going to help the team, he is a good player, he is a thinker and a very intelligent player. So, I strongly believe that him being with the team will help the team.

Meanwhile, Magesi are winless in the 2025/26 campaign, having played to back-to-back draws with provincial rivals Polokwane City and Stellenbosch FC respectively, prior to the Downs clash. Maduka’s men dropped down to 13th-place on the log standings.