Ajax Cape Town youngster Abbubaker Mobara told the Siya crew that he never imagined himself playing in a midfield role for the Urban Warriors.  

Mobara broke into the Urban Warriors’ first team late last season, after the 19-year-old underwent trials with FC Twente, Porto and Lens.

Ajax head coach, Muhsin Ertugral, took everyone by surprise when he opted to start Mobara in a defensive midfield role, instead of the central defensive position which he has been playing in throughout his years in the club’s youth development system.

Mobara feels that he is fitting in quite comfortably with his midfield peers. He told Soccer-Laduma, “I never thought it would be possible for me to go into a midfield role. Coach came to me and told me that he wants to turn me into a midfielder, but I didn’t think it would really happen.

"Two days before the AmaZulu game, I was told that I would start in the middle. I was so nervous that I could barely speak.”

When asked what he believes sparked the idea with Ertugral, Mobara seemed to know exactly what his positive midfield qualities are.

“The coach always speaks about my tackling ability and the way I press the opposition. That was where the decision came to play me in midfield. I’m getting used to the position now. My mind is set that I will play there. I am feeling comfortable there already, ”  added Mobara.

By Julian Bailey

Follow Julian on Twitter: @kwetsa_89