Mamelodi Sundowns head coach Rulani Mokwena admits it was a pleasing first start for Morocco international defender Abdelmounaim Boutouil in the CAF Champions League.
The 2021 African Nations Championship winner joined the club in the off-season with high expectations, but a knee injury has prevented his immediate involvement in the first team which left him way behind in terms of physical conditioning to represent the club.
With the quarter-final spot already wrapped up, he was afforded his first chance in the group as a started in the 2-1 win over Coton Sport and he impressed with his build-up play and dominant aerial performance, but Mokwena was keen to share the praise on the squad.
“There were some very good performances, Riyaad Pieterse, good build-up, clean, good decisions very sober,” Mokwena said.
“I think Grant [Kekana], okay in a position he’s played in the past for SuperSport, it’s not. a position we used him in quite a lot, we needed him to feature there with Sailor out and Tapelo with mileage with the national team, so we couldn’t have him today.
“I think Rushine [de Reuck] was good after a long lay-off, Sipho [Mbule] was good, very aggressive in the duels, very… and one of the things I feel he needs to work on by intentionality, very intentional with his usage of the ball, Pitso was good.
“Haashim was also good, made some good moments in the first half, Haashim is not one of the players that you see a lot of actions with the ball, he’s someone who does work off the ball in space creation and possibilities to find depth which I like.
“Cassius was good as well in the second half, and AB was good as you say, sometimes I don’t praise individual performances because football is a team sport but for a performance like that you need good individual performances and AB was one of them.”
The 25-year-old will be aiming for more chances for the remainder of the league, Nedank Cup and Champions League campaign this season.
