Mamelodi Sundowns co-head coach Rulani Mokwena has listed several Cape Town City stars as “the best in the country”, saying Surprise Ralani is one of the best players in the league.
Mokwena previewed his side’s MTN8 final against Eric Tinkler’s side on Saturday and literally analysed almost every player in City’s potential line-up.
The 35-year-old tactician was addressing reporters in a press conference ahead of the MTN8 final to be played in Durban.
“We expect a very difficult match against a very good side,” he told reporters.
“In my opinion, Cape Town City, I would say (are) close to the most complete sides in relation to personnel. They have specialists in every position and very good players.
“They’ve got Hugo (Marques) in goals, (his) extensive experience has helped them a bit with the build-up and is very, very good in relation to how they want to play. To build from the back, his distribution for transitions, etc. etc.
“At left-back, (Terrence) Mashego is probably the most on-form left-back and one of the best in the country at the moment. He’s deservedly been called up for Bafana Bafana.
“(Abbubaker) Mobara is probably one of the best centre-halves in the country. You got (Taariq) Fielies, who’s one of the best centre-halves in the country. You’ve got Mkhize, one of the best right-backs in the country.
“You’ve got (Thato) Mokeke, who I believe is one of the best deep-lying playmakers in the country. There’s only three in the country and of course Mokeke falls into that space.
“Then, of course, you got a (Thabo) Nodada, who’s got the highest number of chances created. The same with (Mduduzi) Mdantsane, who’s probably their most important, I think nine goalscoring contributions and assists.
“Fagrie Lakay is on form, two goals in the last games. (He’s got) speed, directness, the ability to play in front of the defensive line, behind the defensive line.
“A (Surprise) Ralani who for me is probably one of the best players, one of the best players in the league. (He has) the highest number of dibbles, the highest number of box entries, the highest number of chances created, a huge shot volume, shoots a lot and looks to capitalize to finish situations.
“And then you’ve got a Craig Martin, who can play on the line, create double-wide situations when they play with a back-four and maybe join the offensive line and form a two-man attack with Lakay.”
Masandawana and the Citizens will face each other at Moses Mabhida Stadium on Saturday in the MTN8 final at 18:00.
