Royal AM head coach John Maduka has explained why highly-rated attacker Mfundo Thikazi is rarely starting matches this season.
With five goals and an assist this season, Thikazi has been one of the more productive outlets in Thwihli Thwahla's attacking line.
Alarmingly though, the 23-year-old has started just eight matches and has played the full 90 minutes on four occasions, from an overall 29 appearances across all competitions, raising questions over how highly the attacker is rated by coach Maduka.
In his latest appearance, Thikazi was brought on as a late substitute during a 1-1 draw against Orlando Pirates and made an immediate impact – his left-footed shot forcing Sipho Chaine into his first save of the match.
"Remember he's still a young boy, coming up - there a couple of games where we have started him, some he played a bit well but we strongly believe that [he is stronger] whenever he comes in from the bench," Maduka said.
"It's something we are not proud of, a player of his calibre, we want him to start the game and finish the game, because he is a good player.
"He can cause problems for the opposition but those games where we tried him [from the start] he seemed to be struggling at times, which we know that with time, he will be okay," Maduka said.
? 85' Mfundo Thikazi
— SuperSport Football ?? (@SSFootball) April 5, 2023
? 89' Cheick Soumaro
?? 95' Sibusiso Sibeko
?? 95' Diala Manaka
? 98' Mahlatse Makudubela
The final minutes of Marumo vs Royal AM ???? #DStvPrem
"He [Thikazi] will be fine, whereby he will play the 90 minutes. Him coming in as a substitute [is because] we always know that he will give us something because he is a player that can take on the opposition.
"In the final third, what he thinks is to score. He's a very determined boy, it's good to have him in our team. Like I said, we would love to use him more, play him the whole game because he poses so much danger to the opposition whenever he is in that final third.
"I think there are few South African players that are like him."
Maduka's side will be aiming to solidify their place in the top eight when they take on an equally motivated Swallows outfit on Saturday.
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