Mamelodi Sundowns coach Manqoba Mngqithi has singled out one of the club's midfielders for praise following the side's thrashing of Kaizer Chiefs in the quarter-finals of the Carling Knockout.
The Chloorkop-based side secured a spot in the semi-finals of the knockout competition after beating Chiefs 4-0 at FNB Stadium on Saturday.
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Although the goals came from Iqraam Rayners (brace), Peter Shalulile and Khuliso Mudau, a midfield composed of Marcello Allende, Teboho Mokoena and Bathusi Aubaas dominated proceedings.
Speaking at the post-match press conference, Mngqithi handed some due credit to Bafana Bafana star Aubaas, who has only recently returned to the starting line-up.
"We brought him to Sundowns because he's got very rare physical attributes," noted Mngqithi.
"For a player of his height to have the kind of intensity that he has, the speed that he has, the engine that he has, we've always believed we can get a little bit more from him.
"I'm just excited to see him performing the way he does because even in the game that we were playing in Polokwane [against Polokwane City], knowing very well that he had not been playing and he was training very well, but I spoke to him, and I told him: 'I do not want to play you in this match because I would prefer to see you in the Cape Town City FC game because that game will require a lot of intensity, and I know your aggression can help us'.
"Because he's such a very good football player, he's such a good human being as well, he was open to that and said: 'No, coach, I know you will use me when the time is right'. When he does, he plays the way he plays. I think he complements Tebza (Teboho Mokoena) very well.
"They form a very formidable partnership in the central midfield. You still have Marcelo, you still have a Neo (Maema), you still have (Sphelele) Mkhulise, you still have Lebo (Maboe) in that space. So, it makes you feel you are most likely to have a very good midfield at any given stage.
"But his physical attributes, I think, are something to admire. It's very rare."
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Meanwhile, Sundowns have been drawn against Marumo Gallants in the semi-finals of the Carling Knockout, with the two teams locking horns on Sunday.
However, before that, Mngqithi's men will take on Polokwane City in a Betway Premiership match at Loftus Versfeld on Wednesday.