Mamelodi Sundowns head coach Manqoba Mngqithi has heaped praise on a club’s midfielder who’s been in exceptional form lately.
Mngqithi made the remarks following Masandawana's impressive 4-0 victory over Kaizer Chiefs in the Carling Knockout Cup quarterfinal held at FNB Stadium on Saturday.
He specifically commended Bathusi Aubaas, one of the standout players, who, alongside Teboho Mokoena and Marcelo Allende, effectively controlled the midfield throughout the match.
Mngqithi noted that Aubaas was brought to Sundowns for his physical attributes, which significantly enhance their midfield dynamics.
He emphasised that Aubaas plays with remarkable intensity and speed, possessing a strong work ethic that is uncommon for a player of his stature.
WHAT AUBAAS BRINGS TO SUNDOWNS
“We brought him to Mamelodi Sundowns because he’s got very rare physical attributes,” said 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 Polowane, knowing very well that he had not been playing and he was training very well.
“But I talked 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.
“And when he does, he plays the way he plays. I think he complements Tebza very well.
“They form a very formidable partnership in the central midfield. You still have Marcelo [Allende], you still have a Neo [Maema], you still have [Siphelele] 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.”
