Cardoso hails Mokoena’s influence after Sundowns’ commanding win over Polokwane City

Mamelodi Sundowns head coach Miguel Cardoso has singled out Teboho Mokoena for special praise following his side’s convincing 3-0 victory over Polokwane City on Sunday afternoon.

The Brazilians strengthened their position at the top of the table, opening a five-point gap over second-placed Orlando Pirates, thanks to goals from Iqraam Rayners, Tashreeq Matthews and Nuno Santos.

Despite the attacking display, it was midfielder Mokoena who stole the spotlight, earning the Man of the Match award for his commanding performance in the centre of the park.

Speaking after the match, Cardoso described the Bafana Bafana international as a key figure in his squad.

“He is a pillar, a very important asset for the club and the team,” Cardoso told SuperSport. “We understand where he stands, we manage him according to what he needs. We give love to everybody, but of course we also give him that support.”

The Sundowns coach also used the opportunity to rotate his squad, handing Sphelele Mkhulise valuable minutes in the second half as he continues to manage player workload across a demanding schedule.

“Mostly, I wanted to spare some energy and also give game-time to players that haven’t played recently,” he explained. “It’s always important to manage the context. Every match has a different context, and securing the result is what matters most.”

Cardoso added that squad depth remains crucial to Sundowns’ consistency, highlighting the return of key players.

“It’s good to have Brayan back and Nuno. Coaches can do a great job, but it’s the players who make the difference. The more quality you have available, the better you are as a team.”

Sundowns now turn their attention to a high-profile clash against Kaizer Chiefs, set for May 6 at Loftus Versfeld Stadium.