Mamelodi Sundowns head coach Rulani Mokwena has explained why the signing of Zuko Mdunyelwa from Chippa United was a priority target for the January transfer window.
The 24-year-old signed a long-term contract with Sundowns during the week ahead of the mid-season break enforced by the Africa Cup of Nations.
He will now challenge and learn from first-choice right-back and Bafana Bafana international Khuliso Mudau, who presumably will be given time off upon his return to the club, along with the 10 other players heading to Ivory Coast.
However, Mokwena feels Thapelo Morena shouldn’t be considered as a right-back in his tactical system, which often sees his full-backs invert and occupy more central roles in defence and midfield, something the speedy Morena is not accustomed to as a traditional winger.
“The challenge is we almost every position we have two players, except right-back, we only have Mudau, we have Thapelo but my feelings about his position is completely different to what I think [we should play like],” Mokwena suggested about the latest signing.
“When I envisage the team [he’s not a right-back] he doesn’t fit into right-back in my mind and so it’s been very difficult to rest Mudau, and he’s suffered from injuries. So Zuko, we’ve followed a bit.
“A lot of credit must go to the scouting department, Sporting Director, his assistant, the data department, but also the technical team and coaches for the work they’ve done in analysing and then the club for securing the talent, I think he’s very promising.”
Mdunyelwa has featured 55 times in the league for Chippa over two-and-half seasons after he arrived from Cape Town City in 2021.
