Chiefs find gem in their star back
“One of it was to tweak our structure because we have been playing 43-3 all along and getting results‚ and here and there we fluffed.
“At the back of not having any player to play at right-back because Kgotso Moleko and Ramahlwe Mphahlele are out‚ you are looking at who can play for you on the right.
“You say that if you play Molangoane in a back four‚ what are the chances of him coping – how far is the distance moving from the defensive zone up to the crossing zone.
“You also ask how his coordination with the centrebacks is going to be. He might not have the necessary coordination but you can help him by giving him the survival mode of having three across [centreback] because Sundowns will hurt you if their players run into the channels.
“The clear message from us one was the back five in terms of how we set up with Molangoane as a wingback on the right.”
Komphela said he took the risk of playing Molangoane in his reshaped back five because he knew that the winger once played as a right-back.
“I worked with Molangoane at Platinum Stars and I know him when he was with [Alexandria academy owner Harold] ‘Jazzy Queen’ Legodi where he used to play right-back.
“The only thing was that can he cope at this level when you are playing against Mamelodi Sundowns and not a team that is modest.
“As to whether he can play rightback is a topic that must be discussed‚ but as a wingback he can because he has the energy‚ football brains‚ he can attack freely and there are centrebacks that give cover when space is available.
“There was a stage where I thought he was getting excited because he wanted to attack unnecessarily‚ but he is a good player.” — DDC