The PSL’s Best “Swiss Army Knife” Players

A Swiss Army Knife is a multi-functional tool able to cut, slice or open. They are considered very high quality and useful in many situations and environments. Below we can look at the PSL’s most versatile, multi-skilled players.

Mothobi Mvala – “The Fellaini of the PSL”

Not yet 27 years old, Mvala arrived at Sundowns as the club took advantage of Highlands Park being sold to TS Galaxy by signing Free-State born midfielder. At his previous club, Mvala was used as a man-marking central midfielder most often. He also took on a similar role to that seen in the English Premier League by players like Marouane Fellaini and West Ham’s Tomáš Souček. 

All three men are outstanding in the air and tend to start in deeper midfield positions before arriving late in the box to attack crosses. They are also huge weapons on set-plays and often get moved into an advanced role when their sides are chasing a result. Both Mvala and Fellaini have been used as support strikers at times when they have an aerial advantage against their opponents. 

The difference with Mvala is that he can even play in central defence. When Sundowns had an injury in January, he stepped in admirably alongside Mosa Lebusa. There are very few players in world football who can play roles as different as centre back and second striker!

Ryan Rae – “Rory Delap Reincarnate”

Another PSL player who can be likened to a former Premier League player is Ryan Rae. Like former Stoke City player Rory Delap, the utility player boasts a formidable long throw. His deliveries resulted in many goals for Highlands Park whilst he excelled in several different positions from centre back to right back to central midfield. He was both capable of man-marking or being the spare man at the back. 

When Maritzburg United found themselves in a relegation battle, Ernst Middendorp moved to sign Rae following his release by Chippa United as for all his strengths, Rae definitely did not suit Dan Malesela’s possession-heavy football. Not only did Rae give Maritzburg a new weapon from long throws that led to a couple of goals but he even benched Nazeer Allie in defence due to strong performances in the backline.

Deon Hotto

The Orlando Pirates man is the archetypal jack of all trades although his searing pace is his biggest weapon. Hotto can take freekick and set-plays, is reasonably good in the air and can play numerous positions. In his first year at Bucs, he has played left-back, left wingback, right wingback, on both flanks further forward and as a lone striker. 

The latter role was perhaps forced on him by all the recognized strikers being out injured, but Hotto’s pace, work-rate and ability to fight for long balls meant he could occupy an entire backline. He is also pretty good with both feet so is comfortable on both flanks and an excellent crosser. In a disappointing season for Pirates, Deon Hotto was one of the few players to come out of it with credit.

Ananias Gebhardt – Baroka’s Reliable Utility Man

The Bakgakga man, who captained the side at times, was a crucial player this season for his club. Having played most often at left-back in the past, he also covered in central defence on occasion. This season, he was surprisingly moved into a new role as a defensive left-winger. 

As Thoka Matsimela looked to use a 4-4-2 in the early weeks of the season, he pushed Gebhardt forward into midfield. He did a solid job defensively and crossed the ball well from that role. There are many fullbacks who are capable of playing as a winger or vice versa (think Craig Martin), but there are very few who can play roles as diametrically opposite as centre back or left midfielder.

Aubrey Modiba – Speed and Ball-Carrying in Any Role

Modiba is a very important weapon for any team he plays. He came through at Mpumalanga Black Aces as a left wingback in Muhsin Ertugral’s 3-5-2 formation. At SuperSport, he was used wide most often – on both flanks – but looked excellent in a central midfield three at one stage and could also drop into left back when chasing games. 

Whichever role he played, he brought quality crossing, dribbling and ball-carrying. At Sundowns, he has again played in many roles including as a left-footed right back (when he switches sides with the opposite fullback) and arriving from deeper to take players on or provide crosses or cut-backs is his biggest strength. He probably still has some question marks defensively as a fullback and in his off-the-ball runs as a winger so he has never quite found a role on the international stage sadly.

Reeve Frosler – Quality With Both Feet (And Hands)

One of the league’s most versatile players and one who provides quality with both feet and long throws is Reeve Frosler. He has played as a fullback on both sides, as a wingback on both sides, in central midfield and as a wide midfielder under Gavin Hunt. 

Few players are as good at crossing with both feet, making him very difficult to stop as he can cut inside on his left when on the right flank or just deliver crosses on the move. He also brings an excellent long-throw to the table, which has made him the perfect player to service Amakhosi’s target men, Samir Nurkovic and Leonardo Castro over the last two seasons. 

He still has a lot of work to do on his defensive abilities but it is quite surprising that he is not considered a certain squad member for Bafana Bafana considering the dearth of reliable right-backs.

Multi-functional Maboe

Across the PSL, few players have as well-rounded skill-sets as Lebohang Maboe. In his first season at Sundowns, he had to play for the second half of the campaign as a false nine as Jeremy Brockie struggled in his outings. He was outstanding at linking play, running in behind and pressing from the front. 

This season, he has been used largely in his original role as a central midfielder. He played to the right of Rivaldo Coetzee, often in a midfield diamond and was crucial in his counter-pressing to stop opposition breaks. 

After Thapelo Morena got injured last season, Maboe covered at right-back for the first time in the PSL and did a brilliant job. He can play on both flanks too, as a number ten (as he did for Bafana Bafana) or even in the midfield holding role. Arguably, he could play any outfield position except centre back. The ultimate Swiss Army Knife footballer!

Notable Mentions

Aside from these outstanding examples, there are many other players who are excellent, versatile options for their clubs. Fortune Makaringe plays as a holding player, box-to-box midfielder or number ten for Orlando Pirates and often on the flanks too. Abbubaker Mobara most often plays centre back for Cape Town City but can easily move into a right-back or holding midfielder position. 

Ernst Middendorp has used Daylon Claasen as a right wingback, a holding midfielder or as a number ten this season with the experienced former 1860 Munich man excelling in all of those positions.

Siphesihle Ndlovu has played in plenty of different positions at Orlando Pirates, from right back to a box-to-box midfielder role and also played many games as a wingback (on both sides) at former club, Maritzburg United.

Vincent Pule is best known as a winger but has played as a tucked-in shuttler in central midfield and even played much of a cup final for Pirates as left-back after a red card for Marshall Munetsi.

Thapelo Morena’s versatility is well-known too. He regularly switched in the past between right-back and right midfielder and moved upfront in some matches so his pace could be used to lead counter-attacks. This season, when Sundowns switched their fullbacks, Morena looked very good down the left flank too. His pace allows him to excel in basically any wider role or where there is space to run into.

James O'Connor

James is a football analyst who writes about the tactics of the PSL and English Premier League. He holds the UEFA A coaching licence and has previously worked for several clubs in analysis roles.Twitter: https://twitter.com/footy_analysis