I appreciate the opportunity that has been given to me – Mdhluli

Mamelodi Sundowns are well-known nationwide for producing some of the best young talents through their prestigious Youth Academy. Musawenkosi Mdhluli is the most recent talent to have been given the nod to make the step up to the senior team. The Tembisa-born attacker is yet to make his official debut for the club but has featured in the matchday squad on a few occasions, appearing on the bench. On adapting to his new environment, Mdhluli said: “Life hasn’t been smooth, mainly because of all the new adaptations and being in the new environment but it has been an interesting journey so far. I appreciate the opportunity that has been given to me”. 

Mdhluli has been a revelation with the Masandawana reserve side and has put in some breathtaking performances in the DStv Diski Challenge before it was suspended.

“The difference between Reserve team football and senior team is mainly the tempo, because now you’re surrounded with players who are more talented and have more qualities than you and who are quicker, faster and stronger, so the -empo and the intensity will change. Those are the main differences between the two. What I’m working hard on is to try to get to the level of their tempo and intensity and to try and understand how the team plays and what’s required for me to be amongst the rest”. 

The 21-year old was confident when asked about being part of the senior team and emphasised that: “No, I don’t feel intimidated by them but as a young boy, you’re bound to be starstruck in the beginning but once you get used to training and travelling with the players you realise that they’re human too and it feels good to be around them because you get to learn from them and some share with you how got to the level that they’re at. So it’s truly a blessing to be around them. Because like they say: “Sometimes inspiration isn’t far fetched.”