Manqoba Mngqithi firm on stance regarding Khuliso Mudau, Teboho Mokoena roles

The duo were left out of the opening two Betway Premiership fixtures, but Mngqithi cooled down any further talk that there was tension when Mudau returned to the squad in the win over Kaizer Chiefs at the weekend.

He described the Bafana Bafana right back as “one of the best”.

"It was nice to have Mudau back, like I said even before, they are still going to come back and help us a lot. I think today [Saturday] was the right time to bring him and he did very well,” Mngqithi said.

“He proved the quality that he has, no doubts, defensively he's one of the best players you can ever have. In one against one, he's in a class of his own and it was pleasing to see him perform the way that he performed today. I was very happy"

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Mokoena, however, was still a notable absentee at FNB Stadium on Saturday with Rivaldo Coetzee preferred in a similar role instead.

Mngqithi explained how he is likely to use Coetzee and Mokoena throughout the campaign.

"I wouldn't really want to say anything negative about Reeva, ever since he has played as a 6 and he has played as a 6 for us even in the past, very, very good player technically. He can use both left and right comfortably, he reads the game very well, one of the best leaders we have in the team,” the coach explained.

“He's not often caught unaware of what's happening around him because he scans a lot. I rate him very highly as a 6 and as a 6 I don't want somebody who moves a lot and open that hole.

“I want somebody that is a little bit stable that's why I prefer to play with three central midfielders so that the 8s can confront whatever situation but the 6 is always a pivot in front of the last line.

“Tebza is a very good play but he might also even help us as an 8 because he's dynamisim, his ability to score, his agression might be even more important for us going forward but he's also a very good 6 for us.

“But make no mistake, Rivaldo, technically is one of the best players I've ever worked with. So, I will always have him in my thoughts because I believe he's very good in his space. You cannot even compare the two players because their profiles are very different."