Sekhukhune United coach Eric Tinkler has revealed the advice he gave to star player Keletso Makgalwa, drawing a comparison to Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah to help improve his performance.
Makgalwa was a revelation for Sekhukhune last season when they finished in the top four of the Betway Premiership.
The former Mamelodi Sundowns player was also rewarded with the Player’s Player of the Season as well as the Player of the Season nomination. He was beaten to both awards by Sundowns forward Lucas Ribeiro.
Despite already registering an assist in the current season during the 3-2 win against TS Galaxy, his head coach, Eric Tinkler, believes Makgalwa can still do more.
Tinkler went as far as saying Makgalwa’s style of play is similar to that of Egyptian star Mo Salah, but explained what the Liverpool player does better than his star player.
WHY SEKHUKHUNE UNITED COACH WANTS HIS STAR PLAYER TO UP HIS GAME
“I was explaining that to Keletso [Makgalwa] for an example. I told him ‘Keletso, you are a target’,” said Tinkler after Sekhukhune’s 2-0 loss to Stellenbosch FC in the first leg of MTN8 semi-final clash on Saturday.
“’Last year, you had top assists. You were up there for player of the year, and you are a target now. So everybody is going to assess you and you have to up your game’.”
WHAT ERIC TINKLER SAID ABOUT MO SALAH TO KELETSO MAKGALWA
“I said, ‘now you compare yourself to Mo Salah. Mo Salah does the same as you; he cuts in and he still scores goals. You are also cutting in, but they are dealing with you.
“’So there is something that you are obviously doing wrong. So you have to raise your level’,” added Tinkler.
Sekhukhune and Stellenbosch will meet for the MTN8 semi-final second leg at New Peter Mokaba Stadium in Polokwane on Saturday, 23 August.
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