Sundowns: Manqoba on Mokoena’s replacement

Mamelodi Sundowns head coach Manqoba Mngqithi has given his take on Rivaldo Coetzee in his midfield, ahead of Teboho Mokoena.

RIVALDO COETZEE IN PLACE OF TEBOHO MOKOENA

With seven games played this season in the MTN8, CAF Champions League and Betway Premiership, Mngqithi is yet to select Mokoena. Meanwhile, Coetzee has been doing the business in the middle of the park.

“I wouldn’t really want to say anything negative about Riva, ever since he has played a six, even in the past, very good player technically, he can use both left and right [foot] comfortably,” Mngqithi said via iDiski Times.

“He reads the game very well. One of the best leaders we have in the team. He’s not often caught unaware of what is happening around him because he scans a lot. I rate him very highly as a six.

“I don’t want someone who moves a lot and opens that hole [in defence] I want someone who is a little bit stable, that’s why I prefer to play with three central midfielders so that the eights can confront whatever situation but the six is always a pivot in front of the last line.

NEW SUNDOWNS ROLE FOR TEBOHO MOKOENA

The Sundowns tactician concluded the chat by clearly suggesting that Mokoena will be moved to the number eight position, rather than the number six role he played under former coach Rulani Mokwena.

“Tebza is a very good player, but he might also even help us as an eight because his dynamism, his ability to score, and his aggression might be even more important for us going forward. But he’s also a very good six for us.

“But make no mistake, Rivaldo technically, is one of the best players I have ever worked with, so I will always have him in my thoughts because I believe he is very good in that space. You can’t compare the two players, their profiles are very different,” the Sundowns mentor concluded.

CAN SUNDOWNS WIN ANOTHER LEAGUE TITLE?

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