Orlando Pirates fans may sit up for this. Jiyane could be the next Sangweni after 30 games in the heart of Arrows’ defence.
Still just 23 and the club’s captain, Jiyane, born in Ulundi, joined Abafana Bes’thende towards the end of last season following the collapse of Royal AM’s PSL status.
MANQOBA MGQITHI ON AYANDA JIYANE
Mngqithi says the defender has earned everything he is getting, pointing to his consistency and influence in the squad.
“I think he’s been very instrumental in our team. He’s worked his way up and forced himself into the starting eleven and forced himself into the captaincy because he’s probably one of our most regular players,” said Mngqithi.
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“He is one of the best one-against-one, he reminds me of Siyabonga Sangweni on one-against-one. He’s very, very good. And very energetic and quick for the type of football that we play because we are an aggressor,” the former Mamelodi Sundowns mentor added.
Mgqithi also highlighted his reliability and character, saying his attitude has made him easy to work with. “I don’t think he has missed any match. And a very good boy, I actually always wish him all the best because I don’t think I’ve ever had an issue with him as a person,” he added.
“He’s one of the best boys I’ve ever worked with. And a lot of people would say he’s short for a centre-back and all that, but he has won balls against all the tallest strikers.”
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COMPARISON WITH ITALIAN GREATS
Mngqithi concluded with a furher comparison to former Real Madrid star Fabio Cannavaro and AC Milan icon Alessandro Nesta.
“So, I’m very grated with this boy and I so wish I can still be part of the process of his growth because I look at [Fabio] Cannavaro and [Alessandro] Nesta and I’m saying, they played for their national teams with that stature,” Mngqithi said.
“Some of them won trophies, won the World Cup with that stature, but in South Africa, we would rather go for tall, clumsy malakias.”
Coming up next for Arrows is a trip to the North West to battle Orbit College in the on Saturday 18 April at 15:00.
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