Sundowns' midfielder Teboho Mokoena shields the ball away from Orlando Pirate's Relebohile Mofokeng during a league game last season FILE - Sundowns' midfielder Teboho Mokoena shields the ball away from Orlando Pirate's Relebohile Mofokeng during a league game last season. Photo: Phill Magakoe/AFP
Does Teboho Mokoena have a future at Mamelodi Sundowns?
Judging by Manqoba Mngqithi’s comments explaining why the star midfielder has been continually left out of the team, things don’t look good for Mokoena, who retains the trust of Bafana Bafana head coach Hugo Broos.
Despite being one of the more important players in the national team after his impressive performances for club and country last season, Mokoena is yet to feature for Sundowns this campaign.
The 27-year-old, who as linked with a move to Europe after the Africa Cup of Nations, now finds himself on the periphery, and Mngqithi explained why it was so.
According to Mngqithi, Rivaldo Coetzee’s ability in the number 6 position has been the reason why Mokoena is yet to feature this season.
“He (Rivaldo) has played as a No.6 for us in the past. He is a very good player technically and he can use both left and right comfortably.
“He reads the game very well, he is one of the best leaders in the team and he is not often caught unaware of what is happening around him because he scans a lot,” Sundowns coach Mngqithi said, according to HollywoodBets.
“As a No.6, I don’t want someone who moves a lot and [open] that hole. I want someone who is a bit stable, that’s why I prefer to play with three central midfielders so that the No.8s can confront whatever and the No.6 is always a pivot in front of the last line."
Mngqithi went on to add that he sees Mokoena more as a number 8, but could also be useful in the holding role.
“[Mokoena] is a good player but he might also help us as a No.8. His dynamism, aggression and ability to score might be even more important for us going forward.
“But he is also a good No.6 for us but make no mistake – Rivaldo is one of the best players technically who I have ever worked with.
“I will always have him in my thoughts because I believe he is very good in his space. But you cannot compare the two players because their profiles are very different,” Mngqithi said.
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