Cardoso backs Deano van Rooyen to make swift Sundowns impact

Mamelodi Sundowns manager Miguel Cardoso says the club will do everything possible to help Deano van Rooyen settle quickly as they manage a defensive injury crisis.

Van Rooyen was confirmed as a Sundowns player after joining as a free agent. The right-back ended his contract with Orlando Pirates last month before completing the move.

The highly rated defender has been recruited as cover following long-term injuries to Khuliso Mudau and Zuko Mdunyelwa. He was named among the substitutes for Sundowns’ victory over Golden Arrows at the weekend.

“I knew that there were movements in trying to go for him [Deano van Rooyen], because there was an immediate crisis after Zuko [Mdunyelwa] had to come out of the previous match, but today he was on the bench,” Cardoso told the media after the match.

“I didn’t know the extent of that injury, and I will repeat, I trust my players, and I hope that Mudau will come back and maybe surprise us to recover quicker.

“We have Thapelo Morena, we have Zuko, and now we have brought Deano. Obviously, he’s coming to help. He’s an experienced player, and let’s see what he can give us.

“Let’s hope that he will embrace us, and we also embrace him. We will try to do everything to make sure that he makes us better, like all the other players that are here.”

Sundowns’ win over Golden Arrows on Sunday lifted them to the top of the table on 16 points. They are three points clear of second-placed Orlando Pirates, who have a game in hand.

The Brazilians can extend that advantage to six points when they host struggling Siwelele at Loftus Versfeld Stadium on Wednesday.

Cardoso said he was encouraged by the way his side had begun the year and believes they are moving in the right direction as they attempt to regain the Betway Premiership title from Pirates.

“I’m obviously happy with the character we’ve shown because sometimes if you concede a goal like that [Arrows equalised late in the second half], you don’t have the mental capacity to be resilient and to fight for something,” he said.

“So, it means that the message, the character and attitude we’re trying to build is strong. No one can destroy the attitude and that is something that we have to state all the time.

“It will not obviously happen every time that we score in the last minute but if we believe, it will happen more frequently and the team showed belief.”

League fixtures

Wednesday: Mamelodi Sundowns v Siwelele, Loftus Versfeld, 19:30

Friday: Stellenbosch v Sekhukhune, Athlone, 19:30

Saturday: AmaZulu v Gallants, Princess Magogo, 15:00; Polokwane v Kaizer Chiefs, Old Peter Mokaba, 15:00; Chippa United v Mamelodi Sundowns, Nelson Mandela Bay, 17:30

Sunday: Milford v Bay, Sugar Ray Xulu, 15:00; Siwelele v Golden Arrows, Free State, 15:00; TS Galaxy v Kruger, Solomon Mahlangu, 17:30

CAF Champions League first-round second leg

Saturday: Orlando Pirates v La Cure Sylvester, Orlando, 15:00

CAF Confederation Cup

Sunday: Rukinzo v Durban, Stade Intwari, 15:00

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