Cardoso keeps quiet on Matuludi as Sundowns look to strengthen defence

Mamelodi Sundowns head coach Miguel Cardoso says a shared understanding with the club’s management has been central to his success, but he will not comment on reports linking the club with Polokwane City defender Thabang Matuludi.

Cardoso is in his third season at Chloorkop, having arrived from Esperance two seasons ago, and is in his second full campaign in charge. Since taking over, the Portuguese coach has guided Sundowns to the Betway Premiership title and, most notably, the CAF Champions League.

His appointment had initially been viewed with some doubt because of his underwhelming record before joining Sundowns. Many expected him to be dismissed early, but Cardoso has instead established himself in the role.

Sundowns are on course to regain the Betway Premiership crown after losing it to Orlando Pirates last season. They also have the chance to end a long wait for a domestic knockout trophy when they face Pirates in the MTN8 final on October 10, at a venue still to be confirmed by the PSL.

Cardoso believes cooperation between the coaching staff and the club’s leadership has helped create the conditions for those results.

“When you align the plans of the coach with the resources of the club, then things become easier,” he said.

“The mentality of the people who manage the club is also important. They know that just because you lose one game, it doesn’t mean you can’t win consistently.”

Sundowns have continued to support Cardoso in the transfer market and are reportedly close to signing Matuludi. The Polokwane City right-back is expected to provide cover for Khuliso Mudau, who has been ruled out for most of the season with an injury.

However, Cardoso declined to confirm whether the move was imminent.

“You know more than I do,” he said. “You are going to accuse me of not having information. You are telling me about the next player who’ll be announced, but I can’t answer that. You sound more sure of that than I am. I am not sure who’s speaking to you you must tell me!

“Really, I don’t have that situation. So, I don’t know. I can only speak about the things that I can control. When a player is officially announced, we can discuss everything. But before that, I don’t know. I also don’t want to go over the process of the club. If it happens, let’s see.”

Sundowns have already strengthened at right-back by confirming the signing of Deano van Rooyen from Orlando Pirates following Mudau’s setback.

Cardoso praised the former Buccaneers skipper’s adaptability and said he had settled quickly into the squad.

“He’ll certainly, in due time, become what we want from the position,” Cardoso said.

“He’s versatile and clever, with a lot of experience. He’ll understand very quickly whatever we ask of him. He was in camp with the team and was out training in the morning so that he gets integrated into the group as quickly as possible.”