Mamelodi Sundowns head coach Rulani Mokwena has dismissed suggestions they need to dip into the market for a new striker.
Sundowns have started the season with two wins despite not being at their fluent best, scoring four goals and conceding two with 2-1 wins over Sekhukhune United and Kaizer Chiefs respectively.
While they hold one of the best strikers in Africa in the form of Peter Shalulile, and new signing Lucas Ribeiro Costa scoring in both games, the lack of striking options on the bench was notable when Chiefs equalised through Ashley du Preez in the 84th minute.
Substitute Neo Maema grabbed a fortuitous winner via Brandon Petersen’s error – but Mokwena feels they have enough within the squad to be more than covered this season.
“Do we need a striker? We need [Abubeker] Nasir to return back from injury, we need Thapelo Morena to return back from injury and then we have a little bit of a cushion and buffer in that space,” Mokwena said when asked about not having a number nine on the bench.
“We also have the situation with Kutumela so we need to clarify that also, so there’s no real urgency in that situation… so maybe the word need is too strong a word.
“Your assessment is 100% correct [with Cassius Mailula gone], but maybe [the lack of strikers] is highlighted even more by the injuries of Nasir and Thapelo. But okay, once we can get over that we’re quite strong in that position.
“As I said, pre-match, there’s one position I expect us to do some work, but that’s the responsibility of the club and the sporting director – so they know my feelings about it and I’ll leave it at that.”
Kutumela looks set to leave the club before the end of the transfer window, with Cape Town City and AmaZulu both submitting proposals for the South Africa international.
