Former Mamelodi Sundowns goalkeeper Calvin Marlin has allayed fears that the Brazilians could face a goalkeeping crisis due to their ageing men between the sticks.
The Tshwane giants currently have experienced shot-stoppers in a department regarded as one of the strongest in their squad. Led by Bafana Bafana goalkeeper Ronwen Williams, Sundowns also have veteran Ugandan Denia Onyango, former Kaizer Chiefs custodian Reyaad Pieterse and Jody February as top-notch options.
There is also Bafana second choice, Ricardo Goss, who is on loan at Siwelele FC. Another Uganda international, Ismail Watenga, is at Motsepe Foundation Championship side University of Pretoria on loan as well.
While there have been some positives that the goalkeepers appear to be getting better with age, there equally seems to be some concerns that there is no long-term planning regarding this department.
Williams is 34, the same age as Pieterse, while Onyango turns 41 on May 15. February is 29, as loanees Goss and Watenga are 32 and 30, respectively. But Marlin believes it should never be a concern that there are no long-term replacements lined up.
WHY SUNDOWNS DO NOT NEED TO CRACK HEADS ABOUT LONG-TERM REPLACEMENTS FOR WILLIAMS AND CO.
“These days, goalkeepers go for a lot longer than before, and you can see the Sundowns guys still going strong at their ages. All their keepers have some good experience,” Marlin told FARPost.
“Chances of Sundowns playing a younger keeper are slim unless there is an exceptional one like the young Itumeleng Khune or that Ronwen Williams of the old days. That’s why this thing of looking for long-term goalkeepers is not a big issue.
“Sundowns might be looking for a 23-year-old, but young keepers at Sundowns will keep on being loaned out season after season. Playing in the [CAF] Champions League will always require Sundowns to have experienced goalkeepers.”
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