Golden Arrows coach Manqoba Mngqithi has likened club captain Ayanda Jiyane to former defender Siyabonga Sangweni.
The 23-year-old centre-back joined Abafana Bes’thende towards the end of last season after leaving Royal AM, following the club’s expulsion from the PSL.
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He has since cemented his place in the starting line-up and was handed the captaincy under Mngqithi.
Mngqithi praised Jiyane’s impact this season, describing him as instrumental to the team and one of the best players he has worked with.
He specifically highlighted Jiyane’s one-on-one defending, comparing it to that of Sangweni, whom he coached at Arrows before his move to Orlando Pirates.
“I think he’s been very instrumental in our team. He’s worked his way up and forced himself into the starting eleven and forced himself into the captaincy because he’s probably one of our most regular players,” said Mngqithi.
“I don’t think he has missed any match. And a very good boy, I actually always wish him all the best because I don’t think I’ve ever had an issue with him as a person.
“He’s one of the best boys I’ve ever worked with. And a lot of people would say he’s short for a centre-back and all that, but he has won balls against all the tallest strikers.
“He is one of the best one-against-one, he reminds me of Siyabonga Sangweni on one-against-one. He’s very, very good. And very energetic and quick for the type of football that we play because we are an aggressor.
“We are a team that wants to be in the possession. So we cannot afford to have a slow defender. That’s why him and Ntando [Ntandoyenkosi Mabaso] are forming the best combination for us because they have got the ability to play as full-backs in terms of their speed.
“They also have the tenacity with the ball and tenacity in one-against-one. They win their duels.
“So, I’m very grated with this boy and I so wish I can still be part of the process of his growth because I look at [Fabio] Cannavaro and [Alessandro] Nesta and I’m saying, they played for their national teams with that stature. Some of them won trophies, won the World Cup with that stature, but in South Africa, we would rather go for tall, clumsy malakias.”
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