The Brazilians tactician believes the 20-year-old can be more beneficial at the club if his current role is changed.
Mamelodi Sundowns coach Manqoba Mngqithi has hinted Thapelo Maseko will be playing in a more advanced role at the club.
The attacker was used by former coach Rulani Mokwena in the wing and at times as a left-sided wing-back after joining from SuperSport United at the beginning of the 2023/24 Premier Soccer League campaign.
However, after getting his mandate to coach the Brazilians, the former AmaZulu tactician has a different role for the South Africa international.
‘I have some question marks'
Mngqithi believes Maseko can be more effective as a forward than by playing in wide positions for Masandawana.
“I played Maseko a lot as a striker in Austria, and he has developed in leaps and bounds,” he told the club's media team.
“I’m happy with what I see because although I have some question marks about him as a winger but as a striker, he’s got something to give.
“Many people believe he’s very strong in dribbling, I don’t think so. I think he’s very strong in the space behind because of the pace he has and he has a good finish. Those two things make him very dangerous as a nine because he’s also a strong boy. He may be small but he’s very strong.
“His first touch is not bad, and to be honest, he scored some interesting goals in the process, both in training and in games.”
Another Tau in the making?
The tactician has further explained why he believes the youngster can emulate the likes of Al Ahly attacker Percy Tau and former Zimbabwe international Khama Billiat.
“I believe he’s got a very good finishing ability, not so much the dribbling that everybody thinks he has. He can be like Khama [Billiat] and sometimes close to Percy [Tau],” Mngqithi added.
“You must know he’s a little bit powerful, and sometimes you can use him to block the centre-backs before he goes in because he’s quicker to arrive there.
“I’ve got a feeling that he might have played as a striker before.”
