Mamelodi Sundowns mystery as Champions League final starter struggles for game time

Kutlwano Lethlaku has gone from starting both legs of Mamelodi Sundowns’ CAF Champions League final against MC Algiers to making only two substitute appearances this season, leaving the 20-year-old attacker’s sudden fall from prominence unexplained.

The School of Excellence graduate has featured from the bench in the MTN8 and Betway Premiership, but has otherwise been absent from the club’s match-day squads. That represents a dramatic change from last season, when he made 18 appearances and earned the trust of the technical team in some of Sundowns’ most important matches.

Lethlaku’s selection for both legs of the Champions League final was particularly significant given the depth available to Mamelodi Sundowns in attacking areas. For a young player, starting either match would have represented a major vote of confidence; starting both suggested he had established himself as an important option for the team.

Despite that, neither Mamelodi Sundowns nor head coach Miguel Cardoso has publicly explained why Lethlaku’s involvement has declined so sharply. The lack of information has left supporters and observers to consider what may have changed since the end of last season.

The clearest possibility appears to be increased competition for places. During the transfer window, Sundowns added Siyanda Ndlovu and Antonio Van Wyk, two players who operate in the same wide attacking positions as Lethlaku.

Both new arrivals have featured prominently in Cardoso’s plans during the opening part of the campaign. They have also been joined in the attacking rotation by Tahsreeq Matthews, an established regular who has continued to play an important role.

Between them, Ndlovu, Van Wyk and Matthews have occupied the positions Lethlaku filled for much of the previous season. Their involvement has made it more difficult for him to regain a place among the preferred attacking options.

The immediate question is whether Lethlaku’s absence is a temporary dip in his progression or the beginning of a more permanent change in his status at the club. At 20, he still has considerable time to rebuild his position within the squad, although losing momentum can be difficult for a young footballer to overcome after moving so quickly into the first-team picture.

Cardoso has shown that he is prepared to rotate his squad and reward players who demonstrate commitment in training. His recent comments about Fawaaz Basadien’s resurgence after limited playing time last season provide an example of the opportunities that may still exist for players outside the regular starting group.

Lethlaku’s route back into contention will depend on whether he can persuade the coach that he deserves another opportunity. For now, however, the silence from Mamelodi Sundowns and Cardoso has only added to the mystery surrounding one of last season’s unexpected success stories.