Former Mamelodi Sundowns midfielder Tiyani Mabunda has spotted a trend of how left-backs are running the show in Miguel Cardoso’s squad.
Although the Brazilians are enduring a difficult patch of form, Mabunda has noted the left side of defence as the team’s power source. Three players Thato Sibiya, Divine Lunga and Aubrey Modiba have been taking turns holding down this role.
However, this has come as Masandawana have been knocked off the top of the Betway Premiership table by Orlando Pirates. It is a period they have also been dislodged from the top of the CAF Champions League Group C by Sudanese giants Al Hilal Omdurman.
An uninspiring 2-1 victory over struggling Motsepe Foundation Championship side Gomora United in the Nedbank Cup Last 32 on Wednesday, further displayed Sundowns’ glaring troubles. While the heat is on for the Brazilians to improve, their left-backs have provided some positives to talk about.
Amajita FIFA Under-20 World Cup star Sibiya was handed his professional debut when Sundowns hosted Orbit College FC in their first game of 2026. The 20-year-old emerged from this PSL tie as the Man of the Match.
The Tshwane giants then visited Sekhukhune United for another league assignment and Lunga was named the best player of the evening. Up next was Modiba who was selected as the best performer against Gomora.
SUNDOWNS’ STRONGEST POSITION? MABUNDA LOOKS LEFT
“Look at a player like Aubrey, coming from Bafana and he doesn’t take that game lightly. He comes back and gives you 100 percent and a Man of the Match performance,” Mabunda said on the Sundowns Pitchside Podcast.
“That tells you that there is something good that is happening at Mamelodi Sundowns when it comes to the left-backs, because you look at the last three consecutive local games. We had Thato being the Man of the Match, he is at left back.
“The following game, it was Divine at left-back and Man of the Match. Now, Aubrey, left-back and Man of the Match. Something is happening…”
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