An underrated member of the Mamelodi Sundowns technical team has been lauded for the team's impressive start to the 2021/22 DStv Premiership season.
Following their inspiring 4-0 win over Marumo Gallants last weekend, the Brazilians maintained their unbeaten run and are the only team yet to concede a goal in the league this season.
While acknowledging the work of the trio of Downs coaches in Manqoba Mngqithi, Rulani Mokwena and Steve Komphela, former Bafana Bafana goalkeeper Shu-Aib Walters has made special mention of the club's goalkeeper coach Wendell Robinson for the outstanding work that he has been quietly doing in contributing to the team's progress.
"I think Lee Baxter is one of the best goalkeeper coaches that we have in the PSL at the moment, but I think we should give credit to Wendell Robinson also. There's also Andre Arendse and Grant Johnson. But I feel like someone like Wendell Robinson at the moment I can look up to because he has gone the right way and has taken the right path. I feel that he has taken the route that I would also like to go," said Walters, speaking to the Siya crew.
"He started in the youth development at Sundowns and was learning a lot from (Jon) Pascua, the Spanish goalkeeper coach who was at the club at the time. When he (Pascua) left, Wendell took over and I feel like I am following in that path and when the time is right, I feel I will be ready for whatever professional club that will be there and showing interest in my services. As you can see, even if Sundowns has had to change goalkeepers the team's structure remained the same. The coaches, from coach Steve Komphela, Manqoba and Rulani have obviously worked very hard and have done well for the team to be where it is, but with Wendell there and being part of the technical team, he should also get some credit. I could go as far as saying that Sundowns could potentially put in an under-15 goalkeeper in the team, and they would probably not concede. That's how well they have been," added the ex-Cape Town City shot-stopper.
