Manqoba Mngqithi says Lesedi Kapinga is working hard to force his way into the Mamelodi Sundowns team.
The 25-year-old striker joined the Brazilians from Black Leopards this season.
He struggled to settle initially but "has improved tremendously" said the co-coach, ahead of their CAF Champions League Group Stage clash with Al Hilal at Loftus Versfeld on Saturday.
Kapinga has played eight times for Sundowns this season but is still waiting for his first start.
Mngqithi said in the Citizen: "Kapinga has been working very hard at training, his attitude as a player is very good, he is very interested, and he loves the game.
"I always say that Themba Zwane is successful because he loves football. Kapinga is a township boy and you can see that he wants to play."
Mngqithi added: "Kapinga has improved tremendously in that space but his defensive play still needs more attention.
"The good thing is that he was never a bad player, he was playing with a lot of freedom at Leopards and he would cheat a little bit defensively by waiting for those good moments to take the team into attack.
"Unfortunately for a team like Sundowns everybody has to put a shoulder to make sure that the team works."
- TEAMtalk media
