Miguel Cardoso says Sphelele Mkhulise deserved Man of the Match award after Sundowns comeback

Mamelodi Sundowns head coach Miguel Cardoso believes Sphelele Mkhulise was the clear choice for the Man of the Match award after the substitute scored twice late on to secure a 3-2 victory over TS Galaxy on Tuesday.

Mkhulise entered the match in the 63rd minute with the score level at 1-1, but Sundowns appeared to be heading for defeat when an own goal by goalkeeper Ronwen Williams gave TS Galaxy the lead in the 77th minute.

The result seemed to be slipping away from Masandawana, with the Rockets on course to claim all three points. However, Mkhulise changed the game in the closing stages, scoring in the 88th minute before adding a second goal in the third minute of added time.

His late double completed a dramatic turnaround and gave Sundowns an important victory. Cardoso was delighted with the contribution of a player who had started the match among the substitutes and said Mkhulise’s influence made him the outstanding candidate for the individual award.

“I think he deserved to the Man of the Match today,” he told SuperSport TV.

“Sorry by all the work Letsoalo did but I think today, the Man of the Match would very deservedly be Sphelele Mkhulise by what he means for the club for us.

“He’s a player with a fantastic character because he’s able to sustain the aggression despite sometimes not being called.

“But we know we have a brother, we have a friend, we have someone that has quality and when we bring him we know what to expect.

“Today, he gave us the energy we needed and the goals also. I picked him on my shoulder, I took him in front of the fans, because he deserved to be carried by me because he carried us also towards the result we needed.”

Cardoso’s comments highlighted the importance he places on Mkhulise’s attitude, particularly when the midfielder is not selected from the start. The coach said the player continues to show determination and aggression despite occasionally being left out of the starting line-up.

That character, according to Cardoso, means Sundowns can rely on Mkhulise when he is introduced during a match. The coach added that the club knows the quality and energy the player can provide when called upon.

Those qualities proved decisive against TS Galaxy. With the score 2-1 in favour of the Rockets and time running out, Mkhulise produced two finishes that turned the contest in Sundowns’ favour.

Cardoso’s reaction after the final whistle reflected both the significance of the comeback and the midfielder’s role in delivering it. The coach said he lifted Mkhulise on his shoulder and carried him towards the supporters, believing the player deserved the recognition after helping Sundowns claim the result.