Former goalkeeper and head coach Innocent "Ayoba-Yoh!" Mayoyo believes that goalkeepers in the Premier Soccer League (PSL) will pose a significant challenge for the prolific striker Fiston Mayele.
The Democratic Republic of Congo international is currently considering his options as he ponders his next move, with Mamelodi Sundowns and an unnamed Saudi club reportedly making efforts to secure his services.
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"The first line of defense against Mayele should be the defenders; a good goalkeeper only excels because of a solid defense," Mayoyo explains to KickOff.
"Goalkeepers and defenders operate in the same department. If your defenders perform well, Mayele may finish the entire 90 minutes without a scoring opportunity," he continued.
"Are the PSL goalkeepers ready for Mayele? History has shown us that, regardless of how dangerous strikers may be, their success is often short-lived in South Africa.
"You might come here and thrive for a season, but even strong players like Peter Shalulile are eventually fading from the spotlight as we speak. Our country has always found ways to prevent you from scoring.
"Remember, for a player like Mayele to even consider coming to South Africa, it signifies the strength of our league. It shows he’s not just coming to be the best, but to challenge himself in a competitive environment.
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"Having two teams reach the semi-finals of the Champions League and the Confederations Cup demonstrates the growth of our football. As we speak, one overseas club has already fallen victim to Sundowns in the Club World Cup. We are successfully competing against teams in one of the highest stages of club tournaments globally.
"We have made significant improvements in our defensive capabilities. It’s not a coincidence that our PSL strikers are not scoring many goals."
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