The change of position could be one of the reasons delaying Orlando Pirates star Thabiso Monyane in his progress, if word from his mentor is anything to go by.
Monyane has made only three appearances in Pirates' 2020/21 DStv Premiership campaign – one start and two substitute appearances, although the progress of the 20-year-old has also been disrupted by injury.
Since making his Pirates debut under Serbian coach Milutin Sredojevic, Monyane has been playing at right-back where he has had to compete with experienced players like Abel Mabaso, as well as Happy Jele and Ntsikelelo Nyauza at times. Wayde Jooste, who arrived from Highlands Park, appeared to be the preferred choice for the position this season.
Jooste made nine starts in the first 11 league matches of the season, with Monyane appearing to be struggling to break into Josef Zinnbauer's matchday squads, before picking up a knock.
Having worked with the talented South African youth international from a very young age, up to his promotion to the Pirates first team, Augusto Palacios has suggested that as a right-back, Monyane is not being utilised in his natural position.
"He is best as a right winger and as a striker in my opinion. When he came to my academy as a 12-year-old, he was a centre-back. I converted him (into) a right winger, and then he became a striker," said Palacios.
"In the national team (U20) under Thabo Senong he was playing on the wing and as a striker. In the U17 national team he was playing in right wing and as a striker. So, his normal position is right wing or as a striker," the mentor added.
Monyane had an impressive first season in the professional ranks with 18 appearances in the league. He is currently seen as better suited to a defensive role than in attack where he would have to compete with the likes of Thembinkosi Lorch, Vincent Pule, Terrence Dzvukamanja and Deon Hotto among other stars, who are all regulars in the team.
