Mngqithi Likens His Defender To Sangweni And World Cup Winners
Golden Arrows coach Manqoba Mngqithi has likened captain Ayanda Jiyane to legend Siyabonga Sangweni and Italian World Cup winner Fabio Cannavaro.
Sangweni is regarded as one of the finest defenders in the PSL, having started his career at Arrows and helped the club win the MTN8 title in 2009 under Mngqithi before joining Orlando Pirates in 2011.
Jiyane, who joined the club from Royal AM towards the end of last season, has become one of the first names on the team sheet for Abafana Bes’thende this campaign.
The 23-year-old has played more minutes than any other player at the club—2,085—including featuring in the 1-0 victory over Durban City in the Betway Premiership clash at King Zwelithini Stadium on Saturday.
Though small in stature, he has shown great heart, having played in all 24 league matches this season and being handed the captaincy from Gladwin Shitolo.
His performances have even drawn comparisons from Mngqithi to legendary defenders such as Italy’s 2006 World Cup winner Cannavaro and Spain icon Carles Puyol.
In all competitions, Jiyane has made 29 appearances this season.
“I think he has been very instrumental for our team. He has worked his way up, forced himself into the starting XI, and earned the captaincy because he has been our most consistent player. I don’t think he has missed a match,” said Mngqithi.
“He is a very good boy, and you always wish him the best because I’ve never had any issues with him as a person. He is one of the best professionals I have worked with.
“He is one of the best boys I have ever worked with. A lot of people would say he is short for a centre back and all that, but he has won balls against all the tallest strikers.
“He is one of the best in one against one; he reminds me of Siyabonga Sangweni. He is very, very good.
“Very energetic and quick for the type of football that we play because we are an aggressor; we cannot afford to have slow defenders.
“It is why he and Ntandoyenkosi Mabaso are forming the best combination for us because they can play as full backs in terms of their speed.
“They also have tenacity with the ball. Tenacity in one-on-one; they win their duels. I’m very excited about this boy.
“I wish I could be part of his growth because I look at Cannavaro, [Allesandro] Nesta, Puyol – they played for their national teams with that stature and won World Cups.
“But in South Africa, we would rather go for a tall, clumsy but luckiest defender [in the Bafana Bafana].”
