AmaZulu defender Thembela Sikhakhane is modelling his game on two Manchester City full backs – Rico Lewis and Joao Cancelo, who The Blues of Etihad loaned out to Bayern Munich.
Sikhakhane has been seen in recent times overloading the midfield area just like these two City full backs do which is due to the instruction of the coach Romain Folz.
This was on show when Usuthu drew with Maritzburg United early this month at Harry Gwala Stadium, with Sikhakhane shunting his right back position by adding more numbers in the midfield.
In that match, he was awarded the man of the match gong, as he was up and down as Usuthu salvaged a point when they came from behind.
Sikhakhane told iDiski Times that he can only overload the midfield department when they are in possession, and not when they aren’t because oppositions will exploit it.
But when he loads the midfield area, the right winger slots in the right half back, with one of the double six in the midfield drifting a bit wide.
Sikhakhane, who has played 19 of the 21 league matches played this season, says as players at times need to be flexible, adding that is where the game is heading now.
“It plays to our advantage to overload the midfield. If you have noticed many matches, everyone when they attack, (majority of times) they come from the centre,” said Sikhakhane to the iDiski Times.
“Although my position is right back, sometimes when I’m in the centre, someone else is in my right position. When in the right back position, someone is in the midfield.”
The advantage here is to leave opponents guessing: “It’s about confusing the opponents,” revealed Sikhakhane in short.
The 30-year-old will hope this will increase his scoring chances as in his career he has only scored two goals (all last season) since he made his PSL debut in the 2012/13 season with Golden Arrows.
Meanwhile, AmaZulu have confirmed that Sikhakhane has signed a two-year deal, something that iDiski Times had learnt that they were in the advanced talks.
