‘Gabuza’s real talent is at centre-back’

THE African continent might have been introduced to Thamsanqa Gabuza as a bulldozing centre-forward, but the man who gave him his professional debut at Golden Arrows, coach Manqoba Mngqithi, believes he could be one of the top centrebacks in the country.

Now that you have picked up your jaw from the floor, let’s continue.

Mngqithi’s insight on Gabuza offers a good explanation for why he has struggled to find goals in the domestic league, but has been lethal in continental football, whether with Orlando Pirates in the CAF Confederation Cup or with Bafana Bafana.

Gabuza’s scoring record in the domestic league over the past seven seasons is: 3, 1, 9, 1, 1, 0 and 1.

But this year he has scored nine goals in continental football – before last night’s match for Bafana Bafana, five for Pirates and four for the country.

“His physical attributes are rare – he is big, aerially strong and has good pace,” Mngqithi said.

“There were some tactical aspects of his game that he needed to improve on when he started, and I feel that it is still the case in certain aspects.

“Because he wasn’t getting us as many goals as he should for a striker, we played him in numerous positions. People will be surprised to learn that he is a great centre-back, and I feel he could be one of the top centre-backs in this country.

“You saw what happened to Patrick Mayo when he was converted to a defender (at Kaizer Chiefs). He was solid.

“He was helped by the fact that he knew what a striker wanted to do when he got the ball in certain areas of the box.

“Gabuza has this hustle and bustle approach that has made him ideal in continental football, because he can play on any type of a pitch against any defender.

“That is why I think he might have an even bigger impact as a centre-back, more than he has as a striker.”

The Buccaneers will deploy the 28-year-old from Ladysmith up front when they take on Tunisian giants Etoile du Sahel on Saturday night at Orlando Stadium in the first leg of the Confederation Cup final, with the return leg in Sousse the following week.

Gabuza played a big role in helping Bucs get here, offering the club a different dimension with his pace, physicality, aerial strength and the work rate of a thousand donkeys.

He complements Kermit Erasmus, the two forming a lethal partnership with 10 goals in the tournament.

“One of the things that has never changed with Gabuza in all the years is his attitude towards work,” Mngqithi said.

“He works so hard that in some instances people think that he is crazy.

“I remember when we won the MTN8 in 2009 (with Arrows). He was on the bench in the final. When we won the match, he was at the forefront of the celebration.

“He never sulked or complained, but kept working hard because he knew he would get his chance and make the most of it when he did.” WITH the 2015/2016 Absa Premiership having hit the one-third mark for most clubs, there have been 76 matches played so far, producing 173 goals – an average of 2.27 goals per game, or a goal every 40 minutes.

The three highest-scoring clubs have been Bidvest Wits, Black Aces and Kaizer Chiefs, who have all netted 16 goals in 10 games, at 1.6 goals per match, the back of the net being found every 56 minutes.

Log-leading Bidvest Wits (23 points from 10 matches) also have the best defensive record, together with Bloemfontein Celtic (sixth on the table), with both teams only conceding six goals in 10 matches.

In second spot on the standings, Mamelodi Sundowns have scored only one less goal (15) than the Clever Boys, and have conceded one more (seven).

The most goals scored by one team this season in a single match is four. Chiefs have done this twice, while Wits, Aces, Sundowns and Orlando Pirates have also achieved this feat.

The highest-scoring match was Sundowns’ 4-2 victory over Bidvest Wits back in August.

Meanwhile, bottom-of-thetable Maritzburg United have the unwanted record for the most goals conceded, having had their net breached on 22 occasions in their 10 games.

Also with defensive concerns are Polokwane City and Chippa United, who have let in 15 goals each.

Three clubs – Maritzburg United, the University of Pretoria and Jomo Cosmos – have managed only a single victory so far this season.

The Premiership will resume at the weekend. – ANA