Cardoso Excelling At Sundowns, Exactly What They Needed
Mamelodi Sundowns coach Miguel Cardoso has effectively implemented squad rotation, recognizing the demanding fixture schedule and the importance of consistent wins, unlike his predecessor Manqoba Mngqithi.
While Mngqithi struggled to maintain both quality play, results during squad rotations, and the groaning louder voices within the camp at the start of the season, Cardoso appears to have found the right balance in just four matches in charge.
This is crucial for Sundowns, especially considering their participation in the FIFA Club World Cup in June, where freshness will be paramount.
Since Cardoso’s appointment, only young defender Malibongwe Khoza has featured in all four victories. Khoza’s impressive development could potentially earn him a place in the Bafana Bafana squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers.
Sundowns continued their winning streak against Richards Bay at King Zwelithini Stadium on Saturday, once again making changes to the starting lineup. Despite minor setbacks, the victory was inevitable. Cardoso’s approach echoes that of Liverpool manager Arne Slot, who successfully rotates his squad while maintaining high-quality performance and consistent results.
This is a sign of a good manager, ensuring that all his players are happy.
“I have to confess to you that, the context obliges me to be different than I usually like,” he said.
“I don’t like to change a lot of things; I confess to you. But we have to deal with reality because indeed we have fixture in the limit.
“There are players we have in the group that come from long-term injury as it is known in public.
“We have some of them that are recovering and yet to join the group. Mosa Lebusa will probably join the group, Marcelo Allende will join the group.
“So, according to what we have in different moments, we have to manage our recovery. Sometimes you have a player that you would like to play regarding the characteristics of the game, due to his condition.
“It is better to line-up another one that can give you a performance you may not have.
“The question of Iqraam Rayners was giving him some time not to expose him to such aggression as he had in the last games.
“But at the same time, we have a group of players, and that is quite huge. I also need to pay attention to the players that I have at home and in the right moment, they have quality, they can give you an answer like we did against Bay.
“I should also pay attention to that because any moment we need to be ready to substitute the others. They must believe we will give them opportunities where they can give answers and they are ready for that.
“Because a player can make a difference. Tashreeq Matthews comes from a long-term injury and he is very interesting player, quite young but can give us things.
“I don’t want to highlight no one player because I believe that we are working together. I just want to focus on the daily work so that at the right moment, if the opportunity comes and changes by rotation or by injuries, we have the answer.”
