Mamelodi Sundowns co-coach Manqoba Mngqithi has revealed the role he sees Phillip Ndabayithethwa Ndlondlo in at Orlando Pirates.
He was speaking ahead of the MTN8 clash on Saturday.
The Soweto giants welcome Bafana Ba Style at Orlando Stadium on Saturday, 1 October, with kick-off scheduled for 3:30pm.
Ndlondlo recently joined the Sea Robbers on a three-year deal for an undisclosed fee from Marumo Gallants.
Mngqithi believes that the Buccaneers could really benefit from the flexibility that the 27-year-old footballer offers as an attacking player.
Ndlondlo is an absolute beast when it comes to taking his chances inside the box, which makes him much of a threat as an attacker.
The Bucs’ new signing has the pace to drift past the defenders and has also delivered a few assists for his former club.
Instead, it comes from a combination of intelligence, aggression, and an almost instinctual feel for the tenets of attacking football.
Jose Riveiro will be left with a headache, as Kermit Erasmus, Eva Nga and Zakhele Lepasa are among the players in contention for a spot in the starting eleven.
Nevertheless, it is a good headache to have as a coach, as Pirates squad depth seems to be increasing with the signings they have made in the just-ended transfer window period.
WHAT MNGQITHI SAID…
Speaking in a pre-match press conference on Thursday, Mngqithi said: “I don’t think there is much which has changed at Pirates in terms of the shape.
“It will just depend on whether they want to go with two strikers or one 10. They may play Kermit but don’t think they will go that route because it might open up their midfield.
“Maybe they may go the route of the gent Ndlondlo who fits well in that space [number 10].
“If they chose Lepasa, Kermit or Eva Nga, it will have a different demission in terms of their ability to press from the top and the ability to put much intensity on our build-up.
“And whichever way they choose, I think the team [Sundowns] is capable and ready to deal with that.”
