Mamelodi Sundowns coach Miguel Cardoso has expressed satisfaction with the return of star defender Khuliso Mudau.

Mudau made his first appearance of the season for the Brazilians in their 1-1 draw against Marumo Gallants in the Betway Premiership match at Dr Molemela Stadium on Wednesday.  

The Bafana Bafana right back, who didn’t start the preseason with Sundowns, missed the first nine games in all competitions due to rumors of wanting to leave the club, but has been training with the team for two weeks. 

The experienced defender, widely considered one of the best on the continent, last played for Sundowns in a FIFA Club World Cup match against Brazilian side Fluminense on 25 June.

That was also the last time Lucas Ribeiro Costa played for Sundowns before forcing a move to Cultural y Deportiva Leonesa in the Spanish second division.

“Khuliso joined the team two weeks ago and has not trained for a long time with the club, but has trained very well,” Cardoso said.  

“We know what game time we can give Khuliso, we know what we have to do in terms of managing him.” 

Cardoso revealed that having Mudau on the bench was crucial in managing Thapelo Morena, who had been playing almost all Sundowns’ matches.  

When Mudau came on as a substitute in the 70th minute, replacing Morena, Cardoso expected him to bring new energy to the team.  

“I expected when he entered the match, he would bring new energy, and we knew he would bring more energy on that right side, and that’s why we brought him in,” Cardoso added. 

“He did very well by delivering great balls in the box, but unfortunately, we failed to use his balls efficiently.” 

The 30-year-old defender, who also lost his place in the Bafana Bafana squad after coach Hugo Broos didn’t call him for the recent FIFA World Cup match qualifiers against Lesotho and Nigeria, will be hoping to start his first game of the season on Saturday when Sundowns face Durban City at Lucas Moripe Stadium.