Ex-Sundowns striker explains what makes Peter Shalulile exceptional
Former Mamelodi Sundowns striker Dario Monteiro has given his insight on what makes the DStv Premiership serial champions’ striker Peter Shalulile exceptional.
FARPost had asked the Mozambican Monteiro on the striker he likes watching the most in the DStv Premiership.
Monteiro said there was no doubt that the Namibian international Shalulile was the stand-out player in South Africa.
“The Namibian [Peter Shalulile] has good runs. A striker must understand how to run and capitalize on the runs,” he said.
“His runs are with an objective and they are always positive.”
Dario Monteiro said this on the sidelines of the AFCON Under-17 qualifier for Cosafa held in Lilongwe, Malawi.
The former Sundowns striker Dario Monteiro led Mozambique under-17 team at the tournament at Bingu National Stadium.
DARIO MONTEIRO’S CAREER AT SUNDOWNS AND SUPERSPORT UNITED
Monteiro was a top centre-forward in his days in the 1990s when he launched his career in the professional ranks at Desportivo de Maputo.
At 19, he secured the transfer to Academia in Portugal where he established himself as a top-notch target man.
He scored 75 goals in 143 appearances for Academia spread between 1996 and 2003.
A stint with Al-Jazila in the United Arab Emirates followed before he returned to Portugal to re-join Academia with who he scored six goals in 26 outings.
Eventually, he had stints with Vitoria, Estrela and Nea Salamis, all in Portugal.
The Mozambican eventually signed for Sundowns and played for them from 2008 to 2009 when he was released.
The Sundowns coach Trott Moloto had invited Monteiro for trials.
Moloto liked what he saw in Monteiro—his willingness to drop deep, link up play and hold up play with his back to the goal and create space for others to run.
“Sundowns invited me to Pretoria for a two-day experience, to see the squad and the facilities and after the two days, they signed me,” Monteiro told FARPost.
Eventually, he signed for SuperSport where he found favour in the eyes of the more direct football addict, coach Gavin Hunt.
“I gained experience from all coaches, including Gavin, who was so passionate about coaching. I achieved a lot at SuperSport, including winning the league title,” Monteiro said in an earlier interview.
After returning to Mozambique, Monteiro re-signed for childhood club Desportivo de Maputo, before calling it a day.
He had a quiet start to life in management, only for the under-20’s success at the Cosafa Championship to bring his coaching potential to the fore.
He guided the junior national team to its AFCON edition.
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