Motsepe Foundation Championship side, Pretoria Callies coach Kwanele Kopo has offered his first thoughts on why his side brought the former Kaizer Chiefs striker Siphelele Mthembu into the team.
This publication revealed last month that Mthembu agreed to a deal until the end of the season, with the option for a season extention, after the player trained with the Romans for several weeks.
The first official assignment for the 35-year-old, was during the Nedbank Cup Qualifiers match against city rivals, JDR Stars on Saturday the 7th. Fortunately, the veteran striker scored the match winning goal as the Atteridgeville-based club claimed victory 1-0.
Kopo, who was under pressure in the league before the 2022 FIFA World Cup, was full of praise of his new signing and has revealed why he thinks Mthembu is the right man to end the scoring drought at his team.
“We needed experience, we needed experience up front,” Kopo told Thisisfootball.Africa.
“Before Siphelele scored, we had many chances, but our young strikers made the wrong decisions and if you look at his chance it was the same as the ones the youngsters missed.
“But the calmness he showed when he scored showed his experience. Just look at how he placed the ball right it the corner. That’s where the experience comes in, that is what we require from him.
“Nyakala went through the same way and hit the goalkeeper. It is clear the experience of someone who knows how to score those chances is vital.
Nonetheless, while the former SuperSport United development coach was happy with Mthembu’s presence, he is slightly concerned about Mthembu’s weight. But Kopa is hoping that Mthembu will work hard to regain his fitness.
“But obviously, he needs to get match fit because he hasn’t played for a couple of months,” he added.
“We are happy with him; he has the experience we needed. There are few others whose paperwork is not yet ready. Hopefully by next week it will be done.” Callies qualified for the next round of Nedbank Cup tournament. But they will be looking to change their MFC’s table situation as they are stuck on the bottom of the log with eight points in 12 matches.
Also Read: Rulani Mokwena Draws Inspiration from Middendorp
