Mamelodi Sundowns head coach Rulani Mokwena says he will continue to field Aubrey Modiba as an inverted full-back as he suggested the pros can outweigh the cons.
Modiba, 27, who was named in the preliminary 35-man Bafana Bafana squad, has come under the microscope for his error the led to Mohamed Sherif’s goal and being taken to task by Percy Tau for their second in the 5-2 win over Al Ahly.
Mokwena seemingly protected the South Africa international by taking him off for Thapelo Morena and he says that if Modiba fulfills his instructions and is punished for it – he, as a head coach should take full responsibility when it happens.
“My fault, [it is] my fault, the mistakes you always have to blame me,” Mokwena said.
“Rewind a little bit to Coton Sport, an assist because his side [inverting into midfield] and so in the good moments, appreciate it, in the bad moments take it also.
“It’s because I want an inverted full-back, I want an extra layer in the build-up and sometimes when it works for the first goal because people commit an extra number to that extra layer when that happens, nobody looks at it.
“But when [a mistake happens], it’s my fault because it’s me that says that, but we’ll continue the way we playing, it worked the entire season and when there are mistakes, for sure I will be the first to put up my hand. I don’t hide.
“So yeah, definitely 100% I will persist [with the tactic.]”
Modiba has scored two goals and registered three assists in 23 games across all competitions in the 2022/23 season.
