Former Mamelodi Sundowns midfielder Sello "Page" Mahlangu has taken to comparing Orlando Pirates' new signing Deano Van Rooyen to Khuliso Mudau after the former's stellar performance against Chippa United.
Van Rooyen was outstanding for Pirates in their league opener against Chippa on Wednesday, in a match they won 2-1.
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Although he acknowledged the former Stellenbosch FC man's qualities, Mahlangu believes Mudau is still the best right-back in South Africa.
"Mudau's experience of having played many games counts, it gives him an edge over this youngster," Mahlangu says, speaking to KickOff.
"If you look at both of them closely, they have different strengths. When Mudau goes forward, he's got a lot of options based on the previous games that they have played.
"This boy, Van Rooyen, is still coming. He is still gonna learn a few other things, in terms of losing the ball too easily.
"Mudau's rate of losing the ball is not so high as Van Rooyen's.
"As for going forward, they both do so at the same pace, but the difference is the final pass they make in the scoring positions," he adds.
Mahlangu, who also turned out for and even coached Tembisa Classic, says in terms of accuracy, Mudau is better, though Van Rooyen's small frame gives him an edge.
"But they are both good right-backs for the country. They are going to give the national team coach a hard time to pick between them. It will depend on which team Bafana Bafana is facing at the time and what height he is looking for.
"But knowing the national team coach [Hugo Broos], he doesn't consider the height. As long as you can play, he puts you in.
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"So, Mudau is still the best in the country in terms of experience. He is still the best in terms of the games he has played at the highest level.
"Mudau is improving game by game. I've got nothing against the boy Van Rooyen, but Mudau is the best for me."