Cardoso says Ndlovu prefers right wing after impressive Sundowns start

Mamelodi Sundowns head coach Miguel Cardoso says Siyanda Ndlovu’s preferred position is on the right wing, despite the midfielder’s success as a playmaker during his time with Lamontville Golden Arrows.

Ndlovu has made an encouraging start since joining Sundowns, featuring in a number of lively cameo appearances from wide areas. His form has led to suggestions that he could be most effective in a central attacking role, but Cardoso says the player himself has made his preference clear.

Speaking after Sundowns’ MTN8 semi-final victory over Lamontville Golden Arrows, the Portuguese coach explained how he discusses positional roles with new arrivals at the club.

“Look, when Siyanda arrives in Sundowns and when any player arrives in Sundowns, I usually put the structures that we use more in front of them. And I ask them, from 1 to the number you feel that you have to tell me which is your favourite position. So imagine, 4-2-3-1 and he goes there, 1-2-3-4. On Siyanda it was very clear, my favourite position is open on the right.”

Cardoso said Ndlovu is capable of operating in several positions, although the player is less comfortable on the left. He added that tactical needs will ultimately determine where players are used.

“Of course, I know he can play inside, left, right. He can play, basically, he just doesn’t want to play on the left. But I don’t know if it will happen that he has to play sometime in the left. Because this is not what you want, this is what we need. Antonio [Van Wyk] has played on the right in the beginning of the season and probably he prefers to be left outside or inside. It’s where he’s best.”

The coach said selecting a team involved balancing each player’s preferred position with the wider requirements of the squad, as well as current form and the availability of alternatives.

“Obviously, for example, it happens with older players. Obviously, having capacity to put the players in their best positions and everyone in the best positions. Obviously, you bring the best you have. But that capacity to play for the team will be decisive in order to make a difference for us collectively,” he said.

Cardoso also praised Ndlovu for producing reliable performances rather than trying to force spectacular moments. The midfielder has started Sundowns’ past two matches, and the coach believes his consistency is an important sign of his quality.

“And he’s doing well, he’s doing well, gradually you don’t see extraordinary things, but you see consistency. The other day we were speaking, because everybody thought that it would be a miracle that the guy would start making extraordinary things. And in the last two matches that he played [in the starting 11] you didn’t see something extraordinary, but you saw consistency. A lot of consistency. And that is a high-level player.”

Cardoso hopes regular football will eventually allow Ndlovu to express himself more naturally and produce the outstanding displays supporters are anticipating.

“Let’s hope he can continue. Because then the games will give him the opportunity to make those things naturally. Without the pressure to have to do it. That’s what I spoke about, you remember when I spoke about him, that match he played against the Chiefs, I think the first one, that everybody loved. Because when you come from the bench, there are always more spaces. So for a player like him, of course, everything is easier.”

The coach said starting matches presents a different challenge because opponents defend more compactly, making the role of substitutes particularly important.

“When you start a match, the narrow spaces are more the ones you’re going to find. So you need to play a different kind of game. That’s why it’s important for teams like us to have a strong bench, to change those players and bring still energy from the bench, that can decide as Antonio did today.”

Ndlovu’s recent appearances have increased interest among Sundowns supporters, who are keen to see more of the talented midfielder as he adapts to his new club.