A former South African football star has voiced a significant concern, suggesting that Mamelodi Sundowns coach Miguel Cardoso is gradually reducing the roles of key players Themba Zwane and Peter Shalulile within the squad.
This stems from the perceived decrease in their regular playing time compared to their prominence under previous coach Rulani Mokwena.
The Portuguese tactician, Cardoso, recently faced fierce criticism for his decision to omit Themba Zwane from the starting lineup in both legs of the CAF Champions League final against Pyramids, a move that raised many eyebrows among fans and pundits alike.
Simultaneously, the forward pecking order appears to have shifted. Iqraam Rayners has seemingly emerged as the preferred central striker, with prolific goalscorer Shalulile increasingly being deployed as a substitute rather than a regular starter.
This strategic shift, as highlighted by the former star, indicates a potential new direction for the Brazilians under Cardoso's leadership, one that might see less reliance on two of the club's most iconic and influential figures from recent seasons.
‘HE’S EXCLUDING THEM FROM GAMES’
“The Sundowns coach cost them the match on Sunday. While we’re not suggesting he should be sacked, he does need to evaluate his decisions more critically,” Ngubane told KickOff.
“Since Cardoso arrived, Shalulile has not played a full game. On Sunday, they needed him more than the young player Tashreeq Matthews. He should have started with Shalulile, Ribeiro, and Rayners, and brought in Mshishi in the second half.
“If you take Mshishi to Egypt and leave him on the bench, it indicates that he is 100% fit. However, Cardoso seems to favor Arthur Sales. I’m sure Cardoso’s assistant, Steve Komphela, advised him about Mshishi, but he didn’t want to listen.
“Mshishi can disrupt the opposition and create space for players like Ribeiro. Most importantly, he can score goals.
“While Matthews is a talented player, the match against Pyramids was far too significant for him. He didn’t deserve to stay on the pitch for 70 minutes.
“I believe this coach is trying to phase out Shalulile and Mshishi because of their age. By excluding them from games, he’s signaling that they won't be needed for next season. That’s my observation.”
