‘Selfless’ Thapelo Morena described as Sundowns captain material

The Downs mentor was speaking ahead of their CAF Champions League preliminary clash return leg against Mbabane Swallows of eSwatini.

READ:  Jose Riveiro’s approach to the crucial second leg against Jwaneng Galaxy

With Morena alongside him during the press conference, Mngqithi praised the player for being a “selfless” leader.

''It is a pity because if I talk nicely about him, you would think I like him a lot. Strangely this morning I touched on something like that within the group when we were doing our video analysis. Part of the things I asked is from the book The Art of War, the five pillars of leadership and I asked all of them - that this club does not need just players but it needs leaders. 

And the first biggest challenge you will have as a leader is if you are selfish, because amongst the pillars of leadership selflessness is the most important, your intellectual capacity to see beyond what is happening at a certain point in time,'' said Mngqithi.

Mngqithi added that despite Morena being used sparingly at times, the Bafana Bafana international seldom moaned.

''We had a clear demonstration in the game that we just played against SuperSport, from Themba Zwane, if he was a selfish person it would be very easy for him to want to score the goal that Lucas Ribeiro scored. He realised that the ball was going on target and there was no one to stop it from going on target, and still made sure that he does not touch that ball so that he does steal the glory. 

And that is selflessness and for Thapelo is an epitome of that, he is a very good boy and a good professional. When we moved to Mudau in that right back position when he was injured and he never sulked and waited for his time, that for me is what makes you as a player,'' added Mngqithi.

Morena joined Sundowns in 2016 under then coach Pitso Mosimane, with Mngqithi the assistant at the time – and from what he has witnessed, Morena would have no issues carrying out the duties of a club skipper.

''If you are selfish and it is all about you, it will always come back and bite you. But his  career is this long probably because of that, he suffered bad injuries, but because of his positive energy , he keeps going. You should see his relationship with other right-backs, if he is outside shouting and coaching them. And that is the quality we need in the club and it is players like this who deserve captaincy in the club,''  he expressed.

In his own words, Morena explained why he continues to have this huge appetite for the game.

''I would say the most important thing is life after football, also for my family to know that I am here to support. I'm giving everything on the field of play because I know it might be the last game, and I want to leave the jersey better than I found it and inspire young people,'' said Morena.