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After a bold declaration from Mamelodi Sundowns coach Miguel Cardoso, who claimed that his squad will stand unrivaled in three months once their acquisitions are finalized, he also recognized the current challenges the team encounters in the absence of pivotal players.
Cardoso highlighted that the team is struggling to maintain fluidity without the input of Lucas Ribeiro Costa and Khuliso Mudau.
He made comparisons with other teams facing issues, mentioning that Orlando Pirates are grappling with difficulties without Relebohile Mofokeng and that Sporting Lisbon is struggling following the transfer of Viktor Gyökeres to Arsenal.
This commentary follows Pirates’ second consecutive league defeat, marking an unusual start to their season. Mofokeng was largely sidelined during their match against Marumo Gallants on Tuesday, leading to another loss.
In contrast, Sundowns secured a 2-0 victory against AmaZulu on Tuesday, despite missing Mudau and Costa for their third consecutive match.
Mudau, a key player, is reportedly in discussions for a revised contract with the club. Meanwhile, Costa, who has garnered numerous accolades including PSL Footballer of the Season and Top Goalscorer, is attracting interest from clubs in Qatar and Brazil.
Cardoso provided a brief update regarding Mudau during last weekend’s match against Chippa United, suggesting that his return is imminent, though he had no updates on Costa’s situation.
Cardoso’s Thoughts on Player Significance
“This Sundowns team will continue to grow throughout the season, I am assured of that,” said Cardoso.
“When you take away Ribeiro and Mudau, especially without Thapelo Morena to fill those voids, there will undoubtedly be difficulties.”
He further addressed the challenges of incorporating new players. “Including players like [Siyabonga] Mabena and [Letlhaku] Kutlwano will naturally lead to obstacles.”
Cardoso emphasized the importance of core players by referencing trends at other clubs. “Consider Sporting in Portugal; without Gyökeres, who moved to Arsenal, they are struggling. Similarly, without Mofokeng at Pirates, they are likely to falter since these individuals are vital to their tactical approach.”
He acknowledged that the team must adapt. “We now need to collectively find solutions to offset what he [Costa] contributed on the field. We stay emotionally separated from that and focus on evolving together as a club.”
Sundowns must urgently tackle the absence of their key players as they prepare for an encounter against Orlando Pirates in the first leg of the MTN8 semi-final at a packed Orlando Stadium this Saturday.
Pirates, having triumphed in this cup for the last three seasons, are counting on Mofokeng’s return, a player who has proven to be a significant threat after scoring twice in their last meeting.
