Cardoso explains how Ndamane met the “Sundowns Standard”

Mamelodi Sundowns head coach Miguel Cardoso didn’t hold back his admiration for new signing Khulumani Ndamane, describing the defender’s debut as “fantastic” following the Brazilians’ 2-0 victory over Sekhukhune United on Tuesday night.

The 21-year-old Bafana Bafana international, who only recently completed a marquee move from TS Galaxy, was thrown straight into the deep end at the New Peter Mokaba Stadium in the Betway Premiership tie. Despite the weight of expectation that comes with wearing the yellow of Masandawana, Ndamane produced a composed performance that helped the defending champions keep a vital clean sheet.

Composure Under Pressure – Ndamane

Transitioning from the Rockets to the high-intensity system of Bafana Ba Style is no small feat, but Cardoso was quick to point out how well the youngster handled the occasion.

“Regarding Ndamane, he is obviously a young player arriving at Sundowns, and he went on the pitch to show a performance that I think was fantastic,” Cardoso told reporters in the post-match presser.

The Portuguese tactician emphasised that while Ndamane’s individual quality was evident, the club’s tactical setup was designed to ensure he flourished from the first whistle.

Tactical Protection: The Mudau and Modiba Factor

Cardoso revealed that his second-half substitutions—bringing on veteran full-backs Khuliso Mudau and Aubrey Modiba—were partially aimed at providing a security blanket for the debutant against Sekhukhune’s pace on the break.

“We put him in a comfortable position,” Cardoso explained. “His performance was aligned with the other players around him. We brought comfort to the backline by introducing Mudau and Modiba to protect against the speed of the opponent.”

The coach noted that the tactical shift not only protected the young debutant but also empowered the team to push for the late winners scored by Nuno Santos and Brayan Léon.

A “Tactical Chess Match”

The 2-0 win, which came courtesy of a 120-second blitz in stoppage time, provided Cardoso with plenty of food for thought. He described the encounter as a “very interesting match to analyse,” citing the evolving challenges from the opening whistle to the dramatic conclusion.

For Ndamane, a winning debut and a glowing report from his manager suggest that the transition from TS Galaxy to Chloorkop is already well ahead of schedule. As Sundowns continue their march toward another Premiership title, the 21-year-old looks set to become a cornerstone of Cardoso’s defensive revolution.