Mamelodi Sundowns coach Manqoba Mngqithi has explained why he prefers utility player Aubrey Modiba more as a midfielder than a defender, following his performance in a new role on Sunday.
The Brazilians secured a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Polokwane City in the quarter-final of the MTN8 at Lucas Moripe Stadium on Sunday.
With the match being Sundowns' first competitive outing of the season and a first since the exit of head coach Rulani Mokwena, Mngqithi's tactics during the encounter have come under the microscope.
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One of those saw Modiba start in a more central midfield role, as opposed to his traditional left-back – a switch that's been the subject of debate.
Mngqithi, speaking to media after the match, shed some light on the former SuperSport United man's role and why even his predecessor employed him in midfield.
"We've always preferred Aubrey as an eight with coach Rulani, I do not want to take the credit of playing Modiba as an eight because even coach Rulani played him there," Mngqithi said.
"We think he's got a lot more to give in the midfield than just as a fullback. Also, the intensity we want from the fullbacks, considering that most wingers in South Africa are quite quick, it's a little bit important to try and have fullbacks that can react to these situations in the wide channels.
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"You've got [Oswin] Appollis, you've got all the players that are playing wide. [Simon] Ramabu was also a handful, Dlamini was also a handful, we need a bit a of speed in those areas.
"The creativity that Aubrey has, because in the midfield he can play both as an eight, a six, even as a 10 he can still play. He's very important in our creative structure as a club."
Rivaldo Coetzee is another Sundowns player that has been deployed in a new role, moving from a central midfield position to his initial central defence role.