Sundowns legend on importance of Thapelo Morena’s versatility at Masandawana   

A Mamelodi Sundowns legend has had his say on Thapelo Morena’s versatility at the club, with Rulani Mokwena not preferring him at right-back amidst the arrival of Zuko Mdunyelwa from Chippa United.

Upon the acquisition of Mdunyelwa, Mokwena explained the thinking behind the signing of the former Chilli Boys’ right-back, citing that the challenge is that in every other position at Sundowns, there are two players except for the right-back, as he doesn’t deem Morena as a right-back.

Before Masandawana signed Mdunyelwa, they had Khuliso Mudau and Morena playing at the right-back position. But Mokwena has made Morena more of an attacking player, driving forward with the ball, supporting the attack, and creating goal-scoring opportunities.

“We only have Mudau, we’ve got Thapelo [Morena] but my feeling about Thapelo’s position is completely different,” said Mokwena when explaining the reason behind the signing of Mdunyelwa. 

“I don’t think Thapelo in a way that we play when I envision the team is a right-back. When I look at the team, he doesn’t fit at the right-back in my mind. So, it’s been challenging to rest Mudau.”

HLOMPHO KEKANA WEIGHS IN ON THAPELO MORENA’S FLEXIBILITY

In an interview with FARPost, the former Bafana Ba Style skipper Hlompho Kekana shared his thoughts on Morena’s versatility, with the acquirement of Mdunyelwa’s services at Chloorkop.

“Well, I think the game is changing and you can’t play for Mamelodi Sundowns if you are playing only one position. You have to be flexible in your approach to the game,” Kekana told this publication. 

“I think Thapelo [Morena] is the right guy to have multiple positions. He has shown that, I remember in my time at Sundowns, he once played as a striker for us and he won us some important matches.”

The ex-Bafana Bafana international went on to reveal that this should be a lesson to other footballers to try to train themselves to be able to play in more than one position. 

“I think that’s a lesson for everyone who wants to make football a career that you need to train or maybe make lots of possibilities for you to fit in a team,” he added. 

“So, I think the game tells us now that the players that play in one position will struggle in the next few years because of how the system and formation are changing now.”

Sundowns will return to action on Saturday, 17 February against Orlando Pirates at home in a DStv Premiership clash. The game will start at 20:00.

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