Cardoso Makes Mabena Admission After Ndlovu Arrival

Mamelodi Sundowns head coach Miguel Cardoso urged supporters to be patient with the new signing Siyanda Ndlovu, comparing him to Siyabonga Mabena and cautioning against placing excessive pressure on the young winger. Ndlovu joined Sundowns from Golden Arrows in the off-season and has quickly become a source of excitement for fans due to his directness, creativity, and one-on-one ability.

Cardoso emphasized the need to manage Ndlovu’s development carefully to ensure his potential translates into consistent performance. "Our job as coaches is how easily we can create conditions for players to be consistent. Siyanda is a player who has played many PSL matches. Last year, we had a lot of excitement around Mabena, but there was a lack of consistency from him," Cardoso stated.

He noted that Ndlovu's arrival was crucial for Sundowns’ attacking options, although his development had been hindered by injury since joining the club. "I think it was very important that Sundowns could get Siyanda for the group; he’s a player that we have a lot of expectations for. I was quite clear about him during pre-season, but he got injured after the first week," he explained. Cardoso remarked that Ndlovu had not trained until the week before his first match against Chiefs, indicating that his match readiness and understanding of the team were still in progress.

Despite these challenges, Cardoso expressed optimism about Ndlovu’s potential. "Offensively, he has that magic everyone sees. However, he has inconsistencies in defending and other areas to develop. We’re excited for him and want to maximize his energy, but we know that developing a player for the long term requires a lot of work, and he is willing to do it as he is very excited to be with us."

Cardoso also highlighted Ndlovu’s tactical value, especially against teams that defend deeply. "We’re happy but also face a lot of competition in those positions. He is a creative player who can help us deal with teams that are narrow and close spaces. When teams tire, these players become very important; you can’t lose a single inch on him because he is unpredictable in tight spaces."

He stressed the importance of creating a supportive emotional and psychological environment for Ndlovu. Cardoso recalled how expectations affected responses to Mabena’s performances and urged the media and fans to understand how to support young players. "It’s important that we relate to these players correctly. I remember when Mabena had the ball, everyone shouted for him to dribble, but often he should have passed the ball instead."

Cardoso concluded that Ndlovu's individual qualities should be developed within the collective framework of the team. "The team will create spaces and moments for him to utilize his skills effectively. If he does well, he can become an important player in a strong team. This is what we will strive to achieve together with him in the right time and with the right opportunities for his growth.