The nifty masters of midfield
Pattison is Mr. Man of the Match
Just when you think you've seen the best of Andile Jali or Reneilwe Letsholonyane, a well-worked pass or a delicate pirouette once again proves their talent is forever progressing.
The duo are the new midfield darlings of diski and when they're not performing at optimum level, Mthokozisi Yende and Matthew Pattison are quick to remind the pair that their position in the Bafana Bafana squad is under threat.
This seems to keep 'Mxhosa' and 'Yeye' operating at their very best and thankfully for lovers of the local game, it encourages those on the fringes of Pitso Mosimane's plans to keep ensuring the competition in the PSL and at national team level is one the supporters can stay tuned into.
On Saturday afternoon, Thanduyise Khuboni was somewhat impressive against Orlando Pirates but the Golden Arrows man was bullied in the centre of the park by Jali, who has already dominated several high-profile midfield battles this season.
Kaizer Chiefs: tick. Mamelodi Sundowns: tick. Moroka Swallows: tick. He has the vision to provide a defence-splitting pass, the engine to roam from box to box, the discipline to aid his back four and the precision to create goals.
Jali has everyone talking - from die-hard Amakhosi supporters to his team-mates and coach Ruud Krol. Isaac Chansa told me "playing with him is a pleasure, because he is special and works hard" after the MTN8 semi-final, first leg against the Glamour Boys.
Even Krol beamed with excitement when speaking of the 20-year-old ahead of the double header at Cape Town Stadium to usher in the new campaign. Comparisons with Lucas 'Masterpieces' Moripe and Benedict 'Tso' Vilakazi illustrate Jali is already held in high esteem and he is determined not to let the media hype and the sudden scramble from sponsors derail his progress.
Just as humble and focused is Letsholonyane. On Saturday evening at Moses Mabhida Stadium, Yeye deservedly got on the scoresheet after orchestrating a pass to Knowledge Musona, who fired in a cross for the maestro to make it 2-0.
The 28-year-old walked away with the Man-of-the-Match award against AmaZulu, but his partner in the middle, Yende was just as breathtaking.
The former Pretoria University star made just six appearances for Amakhosi last season, but capitalised on Letsholonyane's international commitments earlier in the year to crack the nod from Vladimir Vermezovic.
The Serbian coach saw enough of Yende in the Telkom Knockout in pre-season to decide he would form part of his midfield masterstroke.
There are calls for the 26-year-old to be drafted into the Bafana Bafana squad at the expense of Teko Modise, who has not being playing regularly for Pirates.
On the basis of Yende's offerings, it is hard to argue otherwise - even for the 'General's' most staunch supporters.
And he is not the only one ensuring scribes, coaches and supporters are knocking on Pitso's door. Pattison, or 'Mr. Man of the Match' has been more lethal than Benson Mhlongo's unlicensed gun this season. He hardly wastes a pass and even when Sundowns are not performing at their peak (against SuperSport in the league and Bucs in the MTN8), the former Norwich man remains one of the most impressive players on the park.
Mosimane will not mind fielding questions about Pattison and Yende, because it symbolises the abundance of talent Bafana can call upon in midfield.
But just like Krol over at Parktown, Pitso will be wondering if his side will ever find the finishers to match the wealth - both in numbers and adroitness, of the men in the middle.
by Melissa Reddy
Source -football365.co.za
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