Golden Arrows head coach Manqoba Mngqithi has expressed concern over his former side Mamelodi Sundowns lately prioritising the acquisition of foreign players, over South Africans saying it has an effect on the national team.
Recently the number of players from Sundowns in the senior national team has dwindled with Orlando Pirates having more representation something Mngqithi says boils down to how clubs do their respective recruitments.
Mngqithi however says though during his time it was one of the mandates as to help the national teams across board he does not necessarily criticise the Brazilians’ recruitment policy because they might have different targets.
The 54-year-old mentor also notes the injuries that have hit his former side, replacement of quality players and age among some of the factors that contributed.
“I think the time I was there it was one of the mandates from the boss he wanted Sundowns to be able to help national teams from youth national teams to the senior national team,” said Mngqithi.
“Sundowns always had good presentation, but I think of late they have not recruited much in terms of South African players, maybe because specifically they are focusing on decisive positions.
“You know when you lose a player like Lucas [Ribeiro] you want to try and say can you get two, three or more players that can plug that gap, that are maybe at that level.
“And other teams are also strengthening themselves because I don’t want to lie and say Sundowns did not strengthen the team better from where they were last season.
“I think they have done exceptionally well but unfortunately that strengthening was mainly from players from outside. You know the two players Reisinho and Nuno Santos are big additions in that team.
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“And maybe they are going to help the team, even in the Champions League but unfortunately you have got a [Themba] Zwane that is just coming back from injury.
“You’ve got a Thapelo [Morena] who is also been injured a lot, even [Bathusi] Aubaas has not played too many matches. Then [Mothobi] Mvala has not been playing at all in that central defence. And they have also not been doing exceptionally well to be honest and that compounds the issue.
“And Hugo [Broos] who brings in players in the team because there are players who are playing regularly for their teams like [Khulumani] Ndamane at TS Galaxy, [Samukelo] Kabini at Sekhukhune and he wants to have players that are playing.
“It makes sense to bring players that are playing in their teams than to force matters with players that have not had enough game-time and also players that are not getting younger.”
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