Mamelodi Sundowns coach Manqoba Mngqithi is impressed with the players the South African champions have recruited in the current window transfer.
Sundowns have signed four players, two defenders Kegan Johannes and Asekho Tiwani from SuperSport United and Sekhukhune United, respectively.
Mngqithi’s side also roped in right winger Kobamelo Kodisang from Moreirense FC of Portugal and Brazilian forward Arthur Sales who was in the books of Belgian outfit Lommel SK.
The coach spoke glowingly of Sales and Kodisang during the Masandawana Pitchside podcast interview with club legends Teko Modise and Hlompho Kekana.
“I think we brought in the right players for the season. Starting from Kodisang, he is still a little bit unfit, but you can see what the boy is capable of,” Mngqithi told Pitchside podcast.
“One against one, he is very good, and he had some good finishes as well. He works very well on the pitch.
“He is a natural winger who can play outside the wing into a 10 in a 4-3-3 formation if you want your fullbacks to be high and wide. But also, if you want a wing that will be isolated wide, you’ve got him and (Siyabonga) Mabena in the wide channels they are very good.
“Lesiba has also shown some very good signs there and (Thapelo) Maseko has shown some good signs in that space.”
Mngqithi also shared more insight into the Sundowns’ new striker Sales and if his words are anything to go by, they have unearthed a gem.
“But Sales, I think he has got something,” Mngqithi said.
“Many people say he is very tall, but I don’t think he is that tall.
“I think he is about 1.84 metres but when you look at him, I think that’s what deceives defenders and think that ‘he is not the tallest’ but he has got a very good leap,” he said.
“What I like the most about him is his first touch. He has a very good first touch and an eye for a goal, but more than anything he is a very intelligent striker. He sees things early and gets into painful positions at the right time.
“He is not that before the ball is being played and that makes him very dangerous. He is left-footed but I saw him using his right as well which was encouraging.”
Sundowns play their first match of the season against Polokwane City in an MTN8 quarter-final at Lucas Moripe Stadium on Sunday at 15:00.
