Maritzburg United star Deolin Mekoa has explained he was happy to play a variety of positions at the Rio 2016 despite being a natural right wing.

The U23 star began South Africa’s ill-fated Rio campaign in the left back slot and played admirably as the side held off Brazil in a 0-0 stalemate.

‘The coach told me that he’s going to use me in the left-back position at the start of the tournament,’ explained, reports KickOff.

‘I told him I can play there but my best position is on the right wing. But having said that, I was one of the utility players and I can play anywhere.’

Mekoa was deployed in central midfield for his side’s second game of the tournament – a disappointing 1-0 loss at the hands of Denmark.

‘I think we tried our best and I think you watched the games… You saw that we tried our best but we couldn’t score. We tried to fight to qualify but unfortunately we didn’t score and things didn’t go our way,’ the player concluded.

South Africa managed just a single goal in Rio 2016 as they were eliminated following a 1-1 draw with Iraq in their final group stage clash.

Meanwhile, Maritzburg begin their new season with a tie away to Bloemfontein Celtic on Agust 24.

The match will be played at the Molemela Stadium.

Kick-off is at 19:30.