Mamelodi Sundowns FC Coach Miguel Cardoso Warns Siyanda Ndlovu on Consistency
Mamelodi Sundowns FC head coach Miguel Cardoso has opened up on the challenges facing young talent Siyabonga Mabena, admitting that the starlet's progress stalled due to his inability to perform at a steady level. Despite the massive hype surrounding the teenager last season, his minutes have become limited as the technical team looks for more reliable outputs within the starting XI.
"Our job as coaches is how easily we can create conditions for players to be consistent," Cardoso said, as quoted by iDiski Times. "Siyanda is a player who has played many PSL matches. Last year we had a lot of excitement around Mabena and aligned him over some matches, but there was a lack of consistency from him."
Managing the hype around Ndlovu
The arrival of Siyanda Ndlovu from Golden Arrows has sparked fresh excitement among the Masandawana faithful, but Cardoso is wary of the external pressure being placed on the 22-year-old. While the winger has shown glimpses of the "magic" that convinced Sundowns to secure his signature, his pre-season was hampered by injury.
"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 of," Cardoso explained. "I was quite clear in the moments I spoke about him over his pre-season; he got injured after the first week."
Tactical importance against deep blocks
Cardoso acknowledged that Ndlovu offers a unique tactical profile that is essential for breaking down stubborn Betway Premiership defences. His ability to navigate tight spaces makes him a potent weapon when Sundowns encounter teams that park the bus.
"He didn't train until the week of the first match he played, which was Chiefs, so his match readiness is still developing; his understanding of the team is still developing," Cardoso said. "Offensively, he has that magic everyone sees. But for example, he has inconsistencies in defending and many things to develop, but we're excited as everyone is for him, we want to get that energy and profit from it as much as possible."
A plea for patience from supporters
Cardoso concluded by urging the media and fans to change how they interact with young players, citing Mabena as an example of how crowd expectations can negatively influence decision-making on the pitch. He believes that for Ndlovu to succeed where others have faltered, he must be allowed to grow within the structure of the team without the pressure to produce a highlight-reel moment every time he touches the ball.
"So, it's important the media and fans understand how to relate to these players," Cardoso said. "I remember every time Mabena had the ball, everyone was shouting for him to dribble and most of the moments he should have passed the ball."
What comes next?
For Cardoso, Ndlovu's individual qualities must ultimately be developed within the team's collective structure rather than being relied upon in isolation. "It's the team that will create spaces and moments for him to use the 1v1, the dribbling in space, the movements he makes, and if he does it well, he can be an important player, inside a strong team," Cardoso added. "Which is what we will do together in the right time, with the right opportunities, so he grows, not for a small spell but for the future."
