Mamelodi Sundowns DStv Diski Challenge coach Sinethemba Badela has explained why Siyabonga Mabena has struggled with cramps for the junior league, saying he has hardly played with the senior team this season.
Since the Diski Challenge resumed this year, Mabena has struggled to finish the games, having been seen clutching hamstrings and sometimes taken off with a stretcher.
Mabena was also taken off in the second half in the DStv Diski Challenge festival in Durban two weeks ago when they drew 2-2 with Golden Arrows at Sugar Ray Xulu Stadium.
“That’s why he is with us so that we can give him match fitness because when you look at the senior team, they have a different program where they hardly play any friendlies because they play weekends, midweeks,” said Badela.
“When he came from the School of Excellence, I think he played three games for the youth [team] before he was promoted. Playing 15 minutes, or 20 minutes is not enough, he needs to get more minutes on the field.
“We were a little happier with him, he went longer than he did in the previous game against Cape Town City. So, it is for us to give him more minutes on the pitch. For us, it is to help him in his development because training and playing are two different things, you need mileage on the legs for you to complete 90 minutes.”
Mabena, who has featured in just three matches in all competitions this season for Sundowns’ senior side, became the youngest player to play for Masandawana when he made his PSL debut against Royal AM in March last season.
The U-17 youngster’s first goal came as he netted a third when Sundowns beat Stellenbosch FC in September last year, becoming the youngest player to score for the Tshwane giants at the age of 16 years, seven months and nine days old days, beating Siyanda Xulu’s record for Sundowns set in November 2009 by 478 days.
“If you look at last year, last 12 months, the minutes that he has played are not enough,” added Badela, whose side are third in the Diski Challenge.
“Of course, that’s why the senior side has allowed him to come and spend a bit more time with us, especially now with the break to try to improve his fitness levels.
“There are other factors, not only fitness levels when players cramp, but you also must look at nutrition side, the hydration side – those are the things we are looking at because he is a talented boy. We must protect him, to try to make sure we help him as best as we can.”
Mabena featured again for Sundowns’ DDC side last weekend, as they beat log-leaders Orlando Pirates at Giant Stadium.
