Downs coach happy ‘Oupa’ settling in well
OUPA Manyisa has brought a good balance to Mamelodi Sundowns‚ Brazilians coach Pitso Mosimane has said as Downs’ new signing shows signs of finding his feet, with impressive performances in his last two games.
Manyisa has been deployed as a left-sided midfielder – a position the playmaker had occupied at times for previous club Orlando Pirates and Bafana Bafana – as Downs have cruised to big away wins against Orlando Pirates (3-1) and Bidvest Wits (2-0 on Tuesday night).
Against Wits, Manyisa performed that role well‚ and his ability to come inside when Sundowns were not in possession and help central players Hlompho Kekana and Tiyani Mabunda snuff out the threat of Xola Mlambo and Thabang Monare was influential in the Brazilians dominating the game.
Summing up a good 90 min“And utes for his team‚ Mosimane said: “I’m happy with the result‚ I’m happy with the chances created. I’m not happy with the finishing.
“I think if Percy Tau was calm he could have scored two goals.
“I think if ‘Sbu’ [Sibusiso Vilakazi] was assertive in oneon-ones and made decisions – Khama [Billiat] scored a more difficult where Sbu was.
“I think [centreback Soumahoro] Bangaly was my man of the match. He did exceptionally well. Bangaly and Motjeka Madisha dealt very well with all the aerial balls to Amr Gamal. goal than
that was it – and if you stop Wits’ crosses from the sides‚ that is their strength.
“It was good – almost everybody played well. I think we got our tactics right.
“And it was important for us to close down Mlambo and Monare with ‘KK’ [Kekana] and Oupa‚ with Oupa doing a silent‚ dirty job and no one noticing him.
“But very important for us the organisation in defence‚ and he kept it simple.
“But the main thing was to close Monare and Mlambo‚ for them not to pass. Because I saw what they did against Kaizer Chiefs here [in Saturday’s 1-0 Telkom Knockout win to Wits]‚ passing forward.
“Oupa helps KK and ‘Sugar’ [Mabunda] a lot. He’s humble and he doesn’t need accolades or praise to do that.
“He sacrifices himself for the team.
“He gives us a big balance. Like the Frank Rijkaards – when they don’t play‚ you miss that. But when they play you don’t see them. Unbelievable contribution, he makes.”
Sundowns next meet Chippa United in Port Elizabeth on Saturday.
He’s humble and he doesn’t need accolades or praise to do that. He sacrifices himself for the team