Cape Town - Mamelodi Sundowns coach Pitso Mosimane has moved to temper expectations of a breakout season for Phakamani Mahlambi after his goal against Wits.

The 21-year-old scored the opening goal of the game in a 1-1 draw with the Clever Boys, in what was his first appearance against his former club.

And, with Mahlambi having been utilised mainly as an impact player off the bench, some of the club's fans have been left wondering whether he will soon make the step up into a regular starting role for Masandawana.

However, Mosimane has made it clear that Mahlambi still has plenty of room for improvement, even going so far as to suggest the player was "never coached properly".

"Ey Phaka (Mahlambi), ey I have a lot of work to do with Phaka," Mosimane is quoted as saying by SowetanLIVE website.

"Phaka... eish he's raw, raw, raw, huh. Phaka we are starting to coach him on how to play football at the club.

"Of course, he's got the speed, he can shoot, and he can score. And we wanted Phaka's speed to get behind Wits.

"Same as Wits, they had (Fagrie) Lakay and (Deon) Hotto to use their speed and they got what they wanted because Lakay went beyond Wayne (Arendse) and you saw that.

"So that's what we wanted (with Mahlambi) also, but yeah what can you do? You've got to accept. It's the way it is."

It's a quick return to action for Sundowns as they prepare to face Cape Town City at Loftus on Wednesday evening.

Mosimane's men head into the midweek clash with the knowledge that a win would catapult them to the summit of the Premiership table with a game in hand.