The departure of a star forward always raises questions about a club’s future success. Following Peter Shalulile’s exit from Mamelodi Sundowns FC, many wondered how the Tshwane giants would replace his goalscoring threat.
Former Brazilians striker Katlego “Killer” Mphela has weighed in on the situation. He believes the current squad possesses enough attacking quality to compete for silverware in the upcoming season.
Current Firepower is Sufficient
Speaking exclusively to soccerladuma.co.za, Mphela explained that the reigning champions are well-covered upfront. He pointed to the existing options available to head coach Miguel Cardoso.
“Honestly speaking, I think they have enough because you saw last season there was Iqraam Rayners and Brayan Leon,” Mphela told the publication.
The statistics back up his confidence. Leon made a significant impact with 10 goals after arriving in January. Meanwhile, Rayners finished the campaign with 12 goals, and Tashreeq Matthews contributed eight goals to a highly productive season.
The Role of Lebogang Mothiba
Mphela also highlighted the presence of Lebo Mothiba. The forward has faced injury struggles since joining the club, but Mphela expects him to stay at Chloorkop.
The former national team forward admitted that Mothiba might not fit the team’s system perfectly. However, he notes that Cardoso values his qualities. Scoring could be a challenge initially due to a long-term lack of game time. Despite this, Mphela trusts the striker to return to his best if he remains fit.
Will Sundowns Enter the Market?
While backing the current options, Mphela expects Sundowns to begin the season with three recognised strikers. However, he would not be surprised if management signs another high-profile forward.
The coach could also promote talent from the development side. Yet, at a club of this magnitude, standard expectations demand fierce squad depth. Another signing would simply increase competition for places, similar to how Rayners and Leon pushed each other when Shalulile was absent last season.
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