Newly-signed Mamelodi Sundowns winger Kobamelo Kodisang still has his work cut out before he makes the starting XI.
The highly-rated attacker joined Sundowns from Portuguese side Moreirense last month.
Kodisang, having participated in the club’s preseason in Austria, eagerly anticipates a successful season with his new team. However, his coach, Manqoba Mngqithi, has commented on his readiness to start matches for Sundowns.
“With Kodisang, he’s a boy that I know,” Mngqithi told MSW. “I know him when he was young, I know what he’s capable of. I know him from Coach David Notoane’s Olympics team, I know him. I’ve always followed him.”
He believes his decision to come back to the Betway Premiership could aid his return to Bafana Bafana. National team coach Hugo Broos gave Kodisang a chance to impress in an international friendly last year.
The 25-year-old featured in the goalless draw against Namibia on 9 September 2023. However, a subpar performance led to his subsequent exclusion from the team. “He’s a very, very big talent for South African football. And I think his decision to come back may aid his chances of going back to the national team,” added Mngqithi.
MNGQITHI EXPLAINS WHY KOBAMELO KODISANG ISN’T READY FOR STARTING XI
“But I must also say, with us, he started a bit slow. [He was] maybe carrying a bit of weight at that time, but he’s improving in leaps and bounds with every match. At this stage, he’s not yet ready to be in our first XI, to be honest with you.
“But he’s pushing very closely now. He’s beginning to gain shape. Technically, a very good player. A very big dribbler, a very balanced boy who can also score goals.”
The veteran mentor hinted at where the former youth international could be deployed.
“For us, maybe he might play on the left. If he plays on the right, he’d be very lucky. We’ll play him on the left because we want goals from him. We don’t want him to be busy, and we want him to always attack the box. Not attack the goal line.”
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