Mnguni urges Mabena to overcome stage fright at Sundowns

Former Mamelodi Sundowns midfielder Bennet Mnguni believes teenage forward Siyabonga Mabena’s biggest obstacle is a lack of confidence when he steps up to the first team.

The 19-year-old has continued to impress for the Sundowns Diski Challenge side, producing another influential display in the opening match of the DStv Diski Challenge 2026/2027 season.

Mabena scored twice against Durban City FC, but Mnguni says the youngster appears hesitant when given an opportunity in the senior team.

“You might be good but still go unnoticed by some people; you may even end up not making it to the semi-professional football stage,” Mnguni told KICK OFF.

“Mabena, that boy is very good. It’s just that his biggest stumbling block is ‘stage fright’. He just needs somebody he can talk to regarding that.”

Mnguni says Mabena has the technical ability required to succeed at the highest level and should be encouraged to play with the same freedom he shows in the DDC.

“He is a good player, and he’s technically sound. He is the type of player we prefer to watch in the first team. He is the kind of player we need at Sundowns,” he said.

“We need somebody who will talk to him and make him realise that the DDC is the same as the PSL. It’s still football.”

Mabena’s contrasting performances for the two teams are at the centre of Mnguni’s concern. In the DDC, he is willing to take responsibility and make positive decisions, whereas he becomes more cautious when playing for the first team.

“In the DDC, Mabena is not restricting himself; he is doing things constructively. But when given a chance in the first team, all he does is pass, pass, pass the ball to his teammates,” Mnguni said.

“He chooses to be safe. He is not going forward.”

The former Sundowns midfielder believes Mabena could become a regular if he carries that attacking approach into PSL matches.

“If Mabena can do what he does in the DDC in the PSL, he will not miss a single game,” he said.

Mnguni added that the youngster must believe in his own ability rather than allow the presence of the crowd to affect his performance.

“His problem is the lack of confidence. He needs to tell himself that he can do better. Just tell yourself, I can do better. He must stop worrying about the crowd.”