Pitso s recruits ’ have to sink or swim after his departure
Brazilians’ newest recruits will have to fit in under a new coach
Now that Pitso Mosimane’s departure as head coach of Mamelodi Sundowns has been confirmed, one of the few puzzles that remain is how the nine new recruits announced a few days before Mosimane’s exit will blend into the Brazilians.
The 10-time PSL champions have signed three players — goalkeeper Ricardo Goss, attacking midfielder Hashim Domingo and striker Gift Motupa — from the now defunct Bidvest Wits.
The Brazilians also added Namibian striker Peter Shalulile and combative midfielder Mthobi Mvala from Highlands Park, another PSL club that was recently sold.
George Maluleka, a midfielder in Mvala’s mould, was signed from Kaizer Chiefs while goalkeeper Jody February and utility midfielder Grant Margeman came in from Cape Town Stars (formerly Ajax Cape Town).
Former Black Leopards striker Lesedi Kapinga was also added to the Sundowns team.
We examine each position that these new players hope to fill in the Sundowns’ star-studded starting XI under a yet-tobe-named new mentor.
GOALKEEPING
Dennis Onyango, Kennedy Mweene v Goss and February Goss, a regular No 1 at Wits, may have to bide his time before deposing Onyango as Sundowns ’ No 1. What is in Goss’s favour, though, is his age (26) compared with Onyango and Mweene, both 35.
But as we all know, like good wine goalkeepers mature with age, meaning Goss can’t afford to take things for granted. He has to work hard to convince the new coach.
As for February, his chances are as slim as those of Reyaad Pieterse, who has had no appearances as a third goalie.
At 24, February may well prefer to be loaned out to get some game time.
ATTACKING MIDFIELD
Themba Zwane, Gaston Sirino, Sibusiso Vilakazi v Hashim Domingo, Grant Margeman Zwane, Vilakazi and Sirino are but a few of the stiff competition that Domingo and Margeman will encounter at Sundowns. There’s also the forgotten Aubrey Mngoma, Keletso Makgalwa, Siphesihle Mkhulise, Promise Mkhulise and Antony Laffor.
And with a new coach coming in, it might take a lot longer for the new players to win favour. But just one great performance, even if delivered in a preseason friendlies, might do a world of good.
DEFENSIVE MIDFIELD
Hlompho Kekana, Andile Jali, Sammy Seabi, Tiyani Mabunda, Lucky Mohomi v Mvala, Maluleka
Skipper Kekana recently extended his stay at Sundowns by four years despite his age, 35, meaning the club still sees a future in him, though his chances may be limited with Mosimane now gone. In the past season Kekana was a regular alongside Jali and Rivaldo Coetzee in the holding area.
So, for Mvala and Maluleka, it simply means they have to convince the new coach that they ’ re better than this trio, which won’t be easy.
Seabi has shown at times he can be relied upon, meaning Mvala and Maluleka have more than a handful of players to relegate to the bench if there are to be regulars. It’s the kind of competition that can hugely benefit Sundowns if well managed.
STRIKING
Mauricio Affonso, Jeremy Brockie, Ali Meza, Phakamani Mahlambi v Motupa, Shalulile, Kapinga With Sundowns having struggled in the past season to find a regular scorer in the striking department, Motupa and Shalulile stand a good chance of making an immediate effect, if only they can master Sundowns ’ way of playing.
As was seen with Brockie, who came from SuperSport United with great scoring credentials, adapting to Sundowns ’ way of playing as a striker is often difficult.
As a ball-playing team, Sundowns don’t really rely on a target man — a tag that comes with many of the strikers they recruit. It is mastering the Sundowns way that is often a key to any striker making an impact at Sundowns.
If that fails, as it did last season, attacking midfielders such as Zwane, Sirino and Vilakazi are often left with no option but to step in and do the work of the strikers. Bearing that in mind will be key for Motupa and Shalulile, but Kapinga, who is adept at using the ball at his feet, should be a perfect fit for Sundowns.
But if the new coach comes with a new way of playing — one that will suit target men like Brockie, who might return next season from a loan spell at Maritzburg United — Motupa and Shalulile may have a greater chance to shine.