Mokwena analyses CT City squad ahead of MTN8 final

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Mamelodi Sundowns co-coach Rulani Mokwena has in detail analysed Cape Town City ahead of their MTN8 final at the Moses Mabhida Stadium on Saturday evening.

The Citizens have been confirmed as the home team for the final as Sundowns look to secure the top-eight title that has eluded them since 2007, when it was called the ‘SAA Supa8’.

However, the Brazilians will come into this encounter high in confidence after securing their place in the Caf Champions League group stages following their 2-0 win over AS Maniema Union in the second leg of their first-round clash at Loftus Versfeld Stadium this past Sunday.

“You’ve got Hugo Marques in goals, extensive experience has helped them with the buildup and he’s very good in relation to how they want to play, to build from the back and his distribution for transition.

“You’ve got the left back Terrence Mashego, who is probably the most on-form left back and probably one of the best in the country at the moment, he has deservedly been called up to Bafana Bafana.

“There is Abbubaker Mobara and Taariq Fielies who are probably one of the best center halves in the country and [there is] Thamsanqa Mkhize, who is one of the best right backs in the country.”

He added: “There is Thato Mokeke, who I believe is probably one of the best deepline playmakers in the country; there are only three in the country and, of course, Mokeke falls into that space.

“A lot of other teams play with defensive midfielders but Cape Town City play with a deepline playmaker, which then again speaks to the other part of who they are and what they are about. Because a team that wants to have a player like Mokeke deeper in positions where he initiates the buildups and wants a little bit of comfort to be able to find spaces higher up the pitch by dragging people to come in, then you’ve got the right sort of player with Mokeke.

“[There is also] Thabo Nodada who’s got the highest number of chances created, the same with Mdantsane who’s probably their most important with [I think] nine goalscoring contributions in goals and assists. Fagrie Lakay is on form, two goals in the last four games, [he has] speed, directness and the ability to play in front of the defensive line and behind the defensive line,” Mokwena concluded.