When Mamelodi Sundowns signed Mothobi Mvala and Peter Shalulile from Highlands Park, they pulled one of the major coups in the history of the South African transfer market.
Both players have went on to establish themselves as key figures in the trailblazing Downs side.
Mothobi Mvala, who joined Downs in the 2020/21 season, has had mixed fortunes with the club, alternating between regular game time and lengthy spells on the bench.
But Mvala has proven himself to be a fighter. The bandaged warrior, has risen from the verge of obscurity at Downs, to making 28 appearances for the club this season, scoring two goals, and providing a single assist.
On top of fighting his way back into the Sundowns line up, Mvala has also found his way back into the national team, where he played in both matches against Liberia in a crucial AFCON qualifier.
Perhaps, what makes Mvala stand out from the rest, is his versatility.
He has fitted like a hand in a glove in central defence for Downs, keeping tried and tested defenders like Mosa Lebusa on the bench.
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Mvala's 'steelness' as Rulani Mokwena puts it, is one of his biggest strength, maybe more than his technical/tactical abilities.
More often than not, Mvala has been found wanting in one vs one situations against speedy, tricky forwards, forced into committing fouls in dangerous areas, but his prowess in the air, both in defensive and offensive situations, more so during set-pieces, plus his total commitment to the team's cause, has made Mvala almost indispensable at Downs.
Responding to questions about Mvala's persistent head injuries, his coach, Mokwena, had the following to say.
"The head injuries are just unfortunate," Mokwena told Times Live. https://www.timeslive.co.za/sport/soccer/2023-03-01-like-a-mechanic-with-an-oil-stain-sundowns-coach-mokwena-on-mvalas-bloody-situation/
"Like a teacher who goes home with a lot of chalk stains, like a mechanic who goes home with a lot of oil stains, unfortunately Mothobi has a situation where in a game he gets a bit of blood on the jersey.
"I think it’s a demonstration of not only commitment and 'steelness' of a human being [he is], but his character is just."
Mokwena's comment emphasized the importance of the human being behind the footballer when it comes to Mvala, a true warrior who is not afraid to fight from the front line.
If there is one signing Downs should be proud of, amongst many successful ones, it has to be Mothobi Mvala.
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