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Cape Town - Orlando Pirates right-back Thabiso Monyane has provided some insight behind his move from a striker role with South Africa to a defender with his club.
The 19-year-old was roped into the Pirates first team having excelled at the U20 Africa Cup of Nations and World Cup earlier this year.
He has played six of Pirates' eight games in the Absa Premiership and was even hailed by caretaker coach Rhulani Mokwena as “the best right-back in the country”.
Speaking to the media while in camp with the South Africa U23 side, Monyane opened up on the thinking behind his different roles.
“You know in football, you need to lose yourself for the team, and it’s good to be versatile. I can play anywhere, and I can do my best in that particular position,” said Monyane.
“It’s a position I’ve never played before actually, but I’ve been converted and I’m comfortable there. It’s been a mindset change, so I’ve been doing good – looking at my stats for the season.
“So, it’s something I’m looking forward to and working hard at. Before the season started, I had been playing at right-back – all the pre-season games, and I’ve been doing well, getting assists week-in and week-out in those games, so that’s when they sat me down and said, ‘Look, we want to convert you to right-back because it’s a suitable position for you.’”
Channel 202
