THE TARGET Ups and downs – how did our ‘Four to Follow’ get on?

Often, when discussing MDC players, it is hard to pinpoint any material difference between their skill levels and those of their Premiership counterparts. However, three key shortcomings often emerge with regard to the young stars who have lit up the reserve league: consistency, decisiveness and the ability to deal with pressure. In the January issue of KICK OFF we identified four players who had caught our eye in 2015, but since the turn of the year not all of them have continued to impress. The ‘Four to Follow’ feature included Sibusiso Sibeko of Arrows, Anthony Gordinho of SuperSport, Benny Malope of Chiefs, and Mlondi Dlamini of Maritzburg. For Sibeko, the strain of captaining his side and shouldering the burden of getting goals slightly derailed his season. Seven straight games without scoring was a dip in form which coincided with his side’s less-than-positive run of results that almost cost them the title. Meanwhile, Gordinho’s Matsatsantsa were also having a poor 2016 after an impressive showing last year, but the young defender seemed to cope admirably with the pressure of playing for a side in a slump. Malope disappeared from our screens, but only because First Division side Moroka Swallows had been watching him too and subsequently took him on loan. Dlamini finished Matric last year and, unburdened by his studies, continued to put in the kind of performances that first brought him to our attention, although unfortunately Maritzburg’s performances did not mirror his and their campaign faded towards the end. And what about Emmanuel Letlotlo the Chiefs striker who got everybody talking at the start of the season with four goals in the opening two games? He was not able to replicate that form as the season progressed and looked nervous in front of goal, often squandering easy chances by over-thinking and taking too long with the ball at his feet. The 19-year-old was also guilty of refusing to take responsibility in the box and often made wasteful passes when shooting would have been an easier option. Then, with many losing faith in ‘Adebayor’, he turned a corner in Port Elizabeth and tapped into his natural instincts – the indecisiveness was gone and he scored five in four during the final run-in en route to capturing the crown of top scorer, causing social media to explode with calls for him to make the step up to the first team ranks. The season had a happy end for Sibeko too, it must be said. With the pressure at its crushing worst; the title on the line, a man down and only seconds remaining, it was he who produced the assist that ultimately won his team the trophy.