Mamelodi Sundowns coach Manqoba Mngqithi has identified a more suitable position for Thapelo Maseko, who has primarily been used as a winger.
The 20-year-old has been beheld by many as a “dribbling wizard” from his days at SuperSport United when he burst onto the PSL scene.
He continued in this role last season under Rulani Mokwena at the Tshwane giants after joining from their cross-town rivals, SuperSport.
Mngqithi believes Maseko could be more effective as a striker than a winger. He highlights the player’s pace and finishing ability as key attributes for the position.
MANQOBA MNGQITHI ON WHICH POSITION IS MORE SUITABLE FOR THAPELO MASEKO
“I played Maseko a lot as a striker in Austria, and he has developed in leaps and bounds,” said Mngqithi during the interview with Sundowns Pitchside Podcast.
“I’m happy with what I see because although I have some question marks about him as a winger but, as a striker, he’s got something to give.
“Many people believe he’s very strong in dribbling, I don’t think so. I think he’s very strong in the space behind because of the pace he has and he has a good finish. Those two things make him very dangerous as a nine because he’s also a strong boy. He may be small but he’s very strong.
“His first touch is not bad, and to be honest, he scored some interesting goals in the process, both in training and in games. He scored against Sekhukhune [United] before we left, and he scored a very good goal again [in Austria].”
Mngqithi went on to liken the SuperSport academy graduate to Khama Billiat and Percy Tau who have also donned the shirt of Sundowns.
MASEKO COMPARED WITH TAU AND BILLIAT
“I believe he’s got a very good finishing ability, not so much the dribbling that everybody thinks he has. He can be like Khama [Billiat] and sometimes close to Percy [Tau].
“You must know he’s a little bit powerful, and sometimes you can use him to block the centre-backs before he goes in because he’s quicker to arrive there.
“I’ve got a feeling that he might have played as a striker before.”
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