If there's one player who has been deployed in almost every position at Mamelodi Sundowns - it has to be Aubrey 'Postman' Modiba. This speaks highly of his versatility and quick adaptiveness as Masandawana look ahead to a crunch MTN8 semi-final.
This season, however, it appears as though Modiba will be deployed in a more defined role at Downs as head coach Manqoba Mngqithi wants the 29-year-old to line-up as a central midfielder, in an No.8 position.
Modiba played in that position in the MTN8 quarter-final against Polokwane City and chances are high that he may be given a starting berth on Wednesday night against Stellenbosch in the MTN8 first-leg at the Lucas Moripe Stadium.
“I am familiar with the role, the games that we played in the African Football League, I played that role as an eight. It is not a position that is foreign to me. As an inverted full-back, I used to overload in the midfield.
“I think I’ve done well and the coach thinks I can help the team in that role and I am prepared and learning everyday about the role. Hopefully I can be better and help the team as much as I can,” said Modiba.
“As a player you want to be on the pitch and you want to play each and every game. I don’t see that as a disadvantage because I am familiar with the roles that I play.
“I just want to be on the field and add value where I can and I don’t sulk or complain – wherever they put me, I try to do my best and if my best is not enough, someone else can try and take from where I left off,” he added.
After the departure of Rhulani Mokwena, Sundowns are taking a different approach in their playing style, with Mngqithi making an emphasis on more speed and width.
This explains the acquisitions of Brazilian forward Arthur Sales, Kobamelo Kodisang, and Iqraam Rayners. Modiba, meanwhile, admitted that Masandawana’s new layer of the piano and shoe-shine brand of football might take some time to perfect.
“Credit must go to the technical team because the new philosophy is going to help the team going forward.
“We will try to get it right because sometimes we are not comfortable with changes in life, so when that change came and the coach said we are going to play like this this season, at first we [wondered] how it was going to work out,” said Modiba.
“Obviously in order to perfect that (new playing style) you need to do that in the games. When we started it was a bit difficult because I did not understand the role that well.
“But they showed me how to do it and why we do it and we have to believe in that project. If I did not believe, we were not going to change,” he concluded.
It's matchweek and we're getting ready! 🏃#Sundowns #MTN8 #RabatsenaGape pic.twitter.com/bDxpHjDZ7Z
— Mamelodi Sundowns FC (@Masandawana) August 26, 2024
