Mamelodi Sundowns goalkeeper Jody February has been hailed for his mentality as he’s put his hand up for selection in the 2024/25 season.
February, 28, joined Sundowns in August 2019 but made only his second official appearance for the club after the red card of Denis Onyango on Sunday in their 1-0 win over Polokwane City in the MTN8.
Onyango received a straight red in the 83rd minute, but February had to wait until full-time to be introduced as Sundowns had used three intervals for their four changes in the game at that point – with Mosa Lebusa taking the gloves for the final stages of regulation time.
The iKamva Academy graduate made one vital save over Oswin Appollis and helped Sundowns see out the game with Thabang Matuludi netting an own goal to separate the sides.
And head coach Manqoba Mngqithi stated it’s a reward for his impressive work during the last month.
“There has been a big mindset change, a new paradigm in [Jody], he came into pre-season very early, and looking in very good shape,” he said.
“He’s had a very good pre-season with us. I was happy for him to get a game, though it was under [the] wrong circumstances, but it was nice to see him in an official match and we ended up winning that match.”
February spent time on loan at Cape Umoya United, Moroka Swallows and AmaZulu due to intense competition for places, having arrived with Onyango, Kennedy Mweene, Reyaad Pieterse were ahead of him in the pecking order.
Bafana Bafana captain Ronwen Williams has since been added, while Mweene has retired, and February has now managed to claw himself back into contention for first team football.
With Williams injured, and Onyango suspended for the next two games, Pieterse and Sanale Tshabalala are the alternative options for the gloves in the Sundowns squad.
“Like I said, every cloud has a silver lining, sometimes it’s important for these boys to get into the deep end so they can swim and see what you have after that because now he and Reyaad and Sanele have to fight very hard while Ronwen is still out to make sure that we continue where we have ended now,” he continued.
“So it’s important that a player like him gets a chance to play. I believe he’s a very good goalkeeper, it’s just that maybe before he lacked a bit of personality.
“But I think now he understands what he has to do and take it from me, he’s looking very good, even in training.”
