The tactician has shed light on some of the Uruguayan attacker’s positional limitations
Mamelodi Sundowns coach Manqoba Mngqithi has described why the club found it difficult to retain Gaston Sirino, who completed a transfer to Kaizer Chiefs last week.
Sirino spent six years at Sundowns but was released by the Brazilians at the end of the season, having seen his game time significantly reduced in the last two campaigns.
Chiefs moved with speed to snap him up once it was known that new coach Nasreddine Nabi is one of his admirers, with some observers criticising Sundowns for letting him go.
However, his former coach has now shed light on some of the positional limitations the player faced at Sundowns while he also believes his departure will allow a host of young attackers at the club to flourish.
‘Gaston cannot play as a nine, maybe as a false nine’
“To be honest, I like Gaston a lot, but in life, we must also allow for succession to take place,” Mngqithi said on Marawa Sports Worldwide.
“When you look at the players that we have signed, now we are trying to have [Siyabonga] Mabena also becoming a dominant feature in our team. [Thapelo] Maseko becoming a dominant feature in our team. We’ve got Kutlwano [Letlhaku], who is also doing very well.
“We’ve got Lesiba Nku, who is also doing well. We’ve got [Kobamelo] Kodisang, we’ve got Lucas Ribeiro in these wide channels.
“And Gaston cannot play as a nine, maybe as a false nine. In a three-man midfield, he’s also not gonna be there. So, we don’t want to stifle the growth and the development of youngsters.”
Mngqithi backing Sundowns’ new signings to silence critics
Sirino won six PSL titles at Sundowns after making 202 appearances, scoring 41 goals, while providing 44 assists.
“I think the players we have signed are going to maybe prove whether it was a wrong decision for the club to let him [Sirino] go. Or it was the right decision, but let’s just wait and see,” added Mngqithi.
Chiefs will be hoping to benefit from the quality and experience of the 33-year-old, who recently acquired a South African passport.
