Veteran striker Siphelele Mthembu, currently with Pretoria Callies, has shared his admiration for Mamelodi Sundowns’ approach to player recruitment, particularly under coach Pitso Mosimane.
Mthembu, who’s plying his trade in the Motsepe Foundation Championship, is one of the long-time figures in the Premier Soccer League.
During the exclusive chat with FARPost, the 36-year-old revealed he was targeted by Sundowns in 2014 while playing for Platinum Stars. At the time, the Brazilians were under the guidance of ‘Jingles’.
Mthembu says Mosimane researched him extensively before reaching out, even knowing details about his playing style and lifestyle.
This was before the man who hails from Melmoth chose to ink a deal with the Soweto giants Kaizer Chiefs at the beginning of the 2014/15 season.
‘Shaka Zulu’ spoke highly of Mosimane, expressing his deep respect for the man whose contract with Abha recently expired.
SIPHELELE MTHEMBU – ‘THAT’S ONE THING I LOVE ABOUT SUNDOWNS’
“So, before I went there [at Chiefs], I was called by Pitso at Sundowns, he explained how I play and what type of a person I am, he did his research,” said Mthembu during the interview with FARPost.
“That’s one thing I love about Sundowns; they follow the player [to find out] how he lives and stuff.
“He was interested in me. It was a World Cup in Brazil in 2014, and he used to call me then and tell me how he would make me great.
“There was a striker overseas he [likened] me to, saying you’re like this guy. He explained the things and I’m like this guy knows me.
“And he said, with the team I have, you won’t bother going up and down. You just sit in the box and finish.
“That guy knows football, he eats football and I was so shocked when he told me about my lifestyle, how I train and how many times.
“I respect that guy. He makes a pure research and tells you who you are.”
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