Mamelodi Sundowns head coach Rulani Mokwena has revealed the strategy behind the signings of Matias Esquivel, Tashreeq Matthews and Zuko Mdunyelwa.
The Brazilians' January signings were quite a surprise after they initially announced Mdunyelwa's capture from Chippa United on 28 December last year.
Masandawana were also in a process of negotiating for the transfer of Esquivel from Argentinian club Atletico Lanus early in January for a reported R46,7 million, although he was announced later in the window.
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The Tshwane giants also made another big signing of Matthews in the closing stages of the transfer window after he impressed for Swedish side Sirius, was initially linked with Kaizer Chiefs and also reportedly on the radar of European clubs.
What was a common feature in these signings is that they are still players with a big potential to fulfil, as Mdunyelwa is 24, Esquivel 24 and Matthews 23.
Mokwena says they were conscious of the age bracket they required when making new signings, as they want to reduce the average age in the squad to have sustainable success.
"We've been very clear with regards to what the club is trying to do, in dropping the average age of the squad and of course when you look at this thing from a long-term perspective, we want to be able to have a team that can compete," Mokwena said in an interview on the club's official YouTube Channel.
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"And not only compete in the immediate but sustain the ability to perform and win trophies for an extended period of time.
"And that means the age bracket of the players we're trying to incorporate into the squad are players that are a little bit younger of course and players that show
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