Coach Lehlohonolo Seema has explained the role that the former Orlando Pirates striker Ndumiso Mabena will play at Polokwane City.
The Rise and Shine coach was speaking after their 0-0 draw with AmaZulu FC in a DStv Premiership clash at the New Peter Mokaba Stadium on Monday afternoon.
Mabena recently joined the Limpopo club in the just-ended September transfer window period.
The veteran goalscorer has been without a club after he parted company with the Buccaneers in June 2023.
Mabena had rejoined the Sea Robbers in December 2022 on a one-and-a-half-season deal, having left Pirates in 2014 to sign with the now-defunct Platinum Stars.
On his his return to the Soweto giants, the 36-year-old forward struggled to get game time under the leadership of Jose Riveiro.
Last campaign, he only managed to feature in one match for the Happy People when they faced Mamelodi Sundowns in a league game.
Mabena was part of the PLK City team that played against Usuthu yesterday. He replaced Nyakala Raphadu in the second half of the game.
LEHLOHONOLO SEEMA ON NDUMISO MABENA
“His role is to help the team to win with his experience and also to guide the guys. I don’t want to put pressure on Mabena,” said Seema. “He was brought here just to help the team to win and the players can learn from his experience.
“He came and did not start with the game. AmaZulu opted to start with their new signing [Taariq Fielies] and we did not. We all have our own reasons.
“Would you rather have Mabena that is starting with the game and he hasn’t been playing for a long time then he gets tired and then you bring a youngster that is playing in the Premier League for the first time, and you then think he would have started with the game.”
SEEMA EXPLAINS WHY MABENA WAS BROUGHT IN THE SECOND HALF
Seema further stated that bringing Mabena in the second stanza was “purely tactical” and his partnership with forward Ndamulelo Maphangule was satisfying.
The coach also mentioned that he was happy with the improvement of the other players within his squad.
“It was purely tactical. I think Maphangule did very well. You can see some of the guys are improving and they are coming,” Seema stated.
The PLK City mentor went on to say that they took a lot of positives from this game and believes that Mabena is the man who would guide the side to the promised land.
“I think it’s only a matter of time. It’s just that games are coming thick and fast. But we just have to believe that we can still make it,” he explained.
“There were a lot of positives that came out from today’s game. But we will never put pressure on one player because we have to support him and protect him. But he’s a member of the team and he will help the club because it’s not a one-man show.”
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