Snl24 | Sundowns set to unleash new ‘Percy Tau’

Mamelodi Sundowns are planning to unleash another striker, with a similar skill-set to that of their former blistering attacker Percy Tau, in the new season that starts with an MTN assignment against Polokwane City.

Sundowns bolstered their strike force with the signing of Arthur Sales, who has joined Peter Shalulile and Lucas Ribeiro, as the main number nines.

The side has previously struggled in the striker’s role whenever Shalulile or Ribeiro, or both, are unavailable due to injuries.

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And with Sales expected to be given an adaptation period before becoming a permanent fixture in the squad, Masandawana would need to come up with other options ahead of what will be a long and congested season.

Former Sundowns head coach Rulani Mokwena used to play Thapelo Morena as a makeshift striker when he ran out of options up front.

However, coach Manqoba Mngqithi has revealed that he has been playing Thapelo Maseko as a striker during their pre-season preparations and that’s the position he feels best suits his strengths.

“I played Maseko a lot as a striker in Austria and he has developed in leaps and bounds and I’m happy with what I see because I have question marks in him as a winger. But I think as a striker, he’s got something to give,” Mngqithi said on The Pitchside Podcast, published on the club’s official YouTube Channel.

“Because many people believe he’s strong in dribbling, I don’t think so. I think he’s very strong in the space behind because of the pace that he has, he’s got [a] good finish and those two things make him dangerous as a nine. Also, he may be a small boy but he’s very strong.

“[He’s close to] Khama [Billiat], sometimes close to a Percy [Tau] as well, but you must know he’s a little bit powerful physically. Sometimes you can use him to block the centre-backs before they come in because he’s quicker to arrive,” the 53-year-old gaffer added.

Maseko has been criticized for having the right energy and pace but lacking an end product since being signed from SuperSport United.

Sundowns paid big to get him and will hope for a return on investment this season, although the player has already shown promising signs, notably winning the African Football League Most Valuable Player award last season.