The absence of tried and tested Mamelodi Sundowns goalkeepers Ronwen Williams and Denis Onyango presents the opportunity for Jody February and other shot-stoppers to stake their claim in the team.
The No.1 shot-stopper, Williams, is currently out with an injury while veteran goalie Onyango is serving a two-match ban after he received a red card in the MTN8 quarter-final against Polokwane City on Sunday.
February was called upon to do the job between the sticks during the extra time against City, taking over from Mosa Lebusa who had temporarily taken over the gloves from Onyango during the regulation time.
That’s because Sundowns had exhausted all their substitutes and could only make more if the game went to extra time, which happened.
Though he didn’t face a lot of shots from the Rise and Shine attackers, February did well to block a dangerous shot from crafty Oswin Appollis and ensured the 1-0 victory for Masandawana.
Sundowns coach Manqoba Mngqithi was impressed by February’s cameo against City and suggested supporters might see more of the goalie in the new season.
“To be honest, there has been a big mindset change, a new paradigm in him (February) because he came in pre-season very early, looking in excellent shape and he has had a very good pre-season with us,” Mngqithi told media at Lucas Moripe Stadium on Sunday.
“And I was happy for him even to get game-time though it was under the wrong circumstances. It was nice to see him in an official match and the fact that we ended up winning that match.
“Like I said, every cloud has got a silver lining. Sometimes it is important for these boys to get into the deep end so that they can swim and see what you have after that,” Mngqithi added.
Mngqithi believes this is the time for February, Reyaad Pieterse and Sanele Tshabalala (pictured above) to step up and force their way into the team.
“Now he, Reyaad and Sanele have to fight very hard whilst Ronwen is still out to make sure that we continue where we have ended,” Mngqithi said.
“A player like him (February) must get an opportunity to play and I believe he is a very good goalkeeper, it’s just that maybe before he lacked a bit of personality but I think now he understands what he needs to do.”
The 28-year-old February joined South African champions from Ajax Cape Town (now Cape Town Spurs) in 2019 and has been in and out of the Chloorkop-based club on loan deals.
The deals saw him play for teams such as Cape Umoya United, Moroka Swallows and AmaZulu FC.
The former South Africa U23 goalkeeper spent last season with the parent club and made a single appearance where he played just 53 minutes.
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