Cardoso: No Issues With Ntsabeleng

Mamelodi Sundowns coach Miguel Cardoso has addressed Tsiki Ntsabeleng’s limited game time, noting that there is tough competition in his position, making his regular appearances difficult.

Ntsabeleng has struggled for game time at Masandawana since joining the club on loan from FC Dallas at the start of the season.

He made his first appearance of 2026 in the Nedbank Cup last-32 clash against Motsepe Foundation Championship side Gomora United at Loftus Versfeld Stadium on Wednesday, where Sundowns secured a 2–1 victory.

Cardoso has revealed the main reason the attacker has struggled for game time, explaining that upon his arrival, he found it difficult to fully understand what was required of him, while also facing strong competition in his position.

“Nothing wrong with Tsiki,” said Cardoso.

“Tsiki is a player who has no problems. I have no issues with Tsiki; he works normally. By the way, he had a very nice preseason, and now in the second half of the season. When he arrived, he had difficulties to understand a little bit of what we wanted from him.

“But the problem is not Tsiki, it’s the ones who play his position; there obviously are more players in that position,” Cardoso stated.

“When there is a squad with 38 players, there will always be three or four players that don’t play so much. As long as they work and it’s not a Tsiki question, there will always be someone who won’t have the same game time.”

“He’s a professional player, a very good boy. I embraced him so much today [Wednesday] at halftime, and I obliged him to raise his head. He’s a high-quality player, there’s no doubt.”

Ntsabeleng has featured in four matches in all competitions, scoring one goal.