Mamelodi Sundowns coach Manqoba Mngqithi says the freshness of influential attacking midfielder Gaston Sirino is like the club signing a new player close to the end of the season.

Sirino was included in the starting lineup for the Brazilians’ 5-0 Nedbank Cup quarterfinal thrashing of minnows Summerfield Dynamos at Loftus on Saturday night and returned with a man-of-the-match performance.

Sirino, who has seen little action for Sundowns this season, scored the opening goal after eight minutes and went on to make two assists for goals from Kermit Erasmus...