“I Saw Him Crying!” Cardoso Reveals Emotional Turnaround For Khoza

Mamelodi Sundowns coach Miguel Cardoso has backed Malibongwe Khoza to reach the top after the defender overcame a difficult spell to produce a Man of the Match performance against Siwelele on Wednesday.

Khoza struggled for game time last season despite not being injured, with the 22-year-old defender also left out of the matchday squad for several matches. He was even sent to the reserve team, where he featured in the DStv Diski Challenge.

However, his situation has changed this season, with Khoza being given more opportunities under Cardoso. His improved performances were rewarded on Wednesday when he played a key role in Sundowns’ 3-0 Betway Premiership victory over Siwelele at Loftus Versfeld Stadium, where he was named Man of the Match.

Cardoso revealed that Khoza went through a difficult period last season but believes those experiences helped him develop the maturity needed to improve.

“I just want you to remember that last year, Mali, there was a moment when he almost stopped playing and disappeared,” Cardoso said.

“But he didn’t disappear. He was just probably getting some more maturity that he needed to now make him better.

“There’s still growth in Mali. There’s still a lot of growth in Khulumani Ndamane also.

“There’s still a lot of growth in the players who are younger in the team, and in the others who are older, there’s still ambition to try to be better.

“I’m pretty satisfied to see him receive the Man of the Match. I think he deserves it. He had tough times last year. Tough times.

“I saw him crying, believe me. I saw him crying. But we always told him that the moments would appear. Consistency would speak for him.

“He started the season, the preseason this year, very well. We understood there was proper energy to come back.”

The Portuguese mentor also praised another player who impressed against Siwelele, Siyanda Ndlovu, who scored once and provided an assist in the victory.

Cardoso explained that Ndlovu’s position is not simply determined by where he wants to play, but rather where he feels he can perform at his best within Sundowns’ structure.

“The question is not where he wants to play. It’s where he feels he can be better, in the way, in the positions that we have on our pitch,” he added.

“That’s how we ask the question: where do you think you can be better? So that I don’t put a player in a position that he doesn’t feel confident to play.

“Because the first thing that can make a player express himself technically inside the pitch is that he has joy to play, especially at Sundowns. The way we play, it must be with a lot of pleasure.

“So the question is always: where do you think you can help us more? And he said, I think, open on the right.

“And I said, okay, but you remember coach Manqoba (Mngqithi) was speaking about him playing as a number 10? And we know he has the potential to play inside.

“Obviously, he’s a player who can open spaces, but in narrow spaces he can still dribble; in open space he dribbles even better.

“I think the analysis from coach Manqoba is absolutely correct. He can play both sides, both positions. So we will use him according to what the game asks for.”

Both Khoza and Ndlovu will now be hoping to build on their impressive performances and continue to impress Cardoso when Sundowns travel to East London on Saturday.

The Brazilians will face Chippa United at Buffalo City Stadium, with Khoza and Ndlovu looking to maintain their momentum as they compete for more opportunities in Cardoso’s team.