Is Safranko really the ‘inyakanyaka’ Junior Khanye says he is?

If there is a football analyst in the country who takes the same amount of stick and compliments for his views, it has to be Junior Khanye, who shares his thoughts on iDiski TV.

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Khanye has time and time again described Pavol Safranko as one who is not of Mamelodi Sundowns quality.

The last jab at the Slovakian striker came when Downs beat Marumo Gallants 4-0 in the DStv Premiership – a match where Safranko scored the third goal. He has played 10 times for Masandawana across all competitions and has banged in three goals. However, this is somehow not enough to twist the former Kaizer Chiefs midfielder’s arm.

In a polite choice of descriptions, Khanye described the 26-year-old as “daylight robbery” and called him “inyakanyaka”, loosely translated to a mess – probably a sentiment that a couple of Sundowns fans might share.

Khanye does not waste his right to freedom of speech as he previously described him as a “farmer from Krugersdorp”, suggesting he knows nothing about football.

But the Downs technical team feel Safranko has so much to offer. His coach, Manqoba Mngqithi has come to his defence and justified why the well-travelled forward is given the day of light and patience.    

“We believe that he still has goals in him and he is still going to help us. He is gaining confidence and there is a time against Marumo where he created a good moment for Maema. He took two defenders out and was able to charge in a play the cut back but unfortunately Neo hit the upright but that would have been a great assist,” said Mngqithi.

“We are very happy with the progress that he is making for the team and for a player like him , it is not only about scoring, it is about the work ethic that he puts in to make sure that he helps us in our defensive strategies and he is very important in that space. He is also a big factor both defensively and offensively. In no time we will start reaping the rewards for that,” added the Sundowns co-head coach.