YANGA's winger Mahlatsi Makudubela, alias 'Skudu', has presented his views on the showboating debate, saying he uses his skills to outfox defenders rather than showing off to the fans.

The South African player has failed to impress Yanga's head coach Miguel Gamondi to have the former back into the starting lineup since he picked an injury at the beginning of the season.

Before joining Yanga, Makudubela played for seven clubs in South Africa, including Orlando Pirates, Platinum Stars, Golden Arrows FC, Platinum Stars, and most recently Marumo Gallants.

Speaking on his style of play that has divided fans, Makudubela said being a fan favourite and showboating are two different issues about his style of play.

“You know, I don’t know the difference between dribbling past players and showboating because I think I’m more of a player that likes to dribble past players, going past players, eliminating players to gain numerical advantage into the final third of the opponent,” Makudubela noted.

The winger disclosed: “I don’t know if that is showboating. But yeah, I don’t know if that is called showboating, eliminating players to gain numerical superiority into the opponents’ attacking third."

“So, showboating... I think we can see that at Maimane Phiri (South Africans-sponsored street football), people going on their knees and making the fans happy."

The footballer added: “I think I’m more of a player that eliminates players and helps the team win. Hence, that’s why I’ve scored three goals this season so far.”

Makudubela’s flair certainly gets the fans excited, and the 34-year-old believes that it is something many South African players are naturally gifted with.

“I think, maybe, even when I’m just pushing the ball, I think there’s just that element of it that brings joy into people, and you must never take that thing lightly, because it’s a God-given talent, that thing. When I used to watch Ronaldinho, he used to transmit joy to me, you know," the performer revealed.

Makudubela noted: “And by just doing the smaller things, how we just pass the ball and then act like it’s moving into this space. They are the basic things."

"But I think I’m also gifted with that, transmitting joy to people who are watching me, and I need not change my style of play because I want to accommodate somebody else. I think that’s the most powerful tool that was given to me."

“And I think I’m this far because people saw what I can do, why do I want to change it and be somebody that I’m not, you know.”

“I will not transmit that love and joy to people who are watching. So ja, I think that gives me an edge over the opponents,” Makudubela disclosed.
 
Makudubela turns out to be the first South African to play in the NBC Premier League history after joining Yanga from DStv Premiership club, Marumo Gallants, at the end of the season.