School of Excellence coach makes bold claim about Siyabonga Mabena at Sundowns

School of Excellence coach Mxolisi Silango has made a bold claim about his former player Siyabonga Mabena, who now plays for DStv Premiership champions, Mamelodi Sundowns.

Mabena’s journey began at the School of Excellence, where he was identified and nurtured by coach Silango. The talented starlet honed his skills under Silango’s guidance until graduation, eventually landing a spot at Sundowns’ development.

Mabena was promoted to the Sundowns senior team in the 2022/23 DStv Premiership campaign after impressing with the reserve team in the DStv Diski Challenge [DDC].

In the just-ended season, he made 12 appearances in all competitions and found the back of the net once. And following some dazzling displays on the pitch, the gifted attacker has been earmarked as a potential future star for the club.

Silango claims Mabena is ready for a bigger role at Sundowns and should be starting more matches regularly by now.

GIVEN SILANGO SAYS SIYABONGA MABENA SHOULD BE STARTING MATCHES AT SUNDOWNS

The 17-year-old is facing stiff competition to make a breakthrough in Masandawana’s starting line-up. In attack, the Tshwane giants boast Themba Zwane, Lucas Ribeiro, Thembinkosi Lorch, Marcelo Allende, Thapelo Maseko, Junior Mendieta, and Neo Maema.

“[Siyabonga] Mabena, for me he should be in the staring line-up, that’s my opinion,” Silango told FARPost. “Mabena is ready. You don’t have to delay the boy; Sundowns are supposed to play him more frequently. He’s a player that can take on an opponent; he’s not scared of an opponent.

“If you check his last games he was doing well. Unfortunately, as coaches we see things differently, his performances are outstanding.

“I played for [Jomo] Cosmos; at 16, I was already in the starting line-up. So it depends on the coach.

Silango further gave a perfect example of how Orlando Pirates gave Relebohile Mofokeng an opportunity, and he grabbed it with both hands. Now, Mofokeng is a regular starter and a key player in the Pirates squad.

“I think that thing of [Orlando] Pirates giving Rele [Relebohile Mofokeng] a chance in the starting line-up is going to open eyes for Sundowns,” he added.

RELATED STORY: Ex-coach evaluates Pirates star Relebohile Mofokeng’s progress at pro level