Mamelodi Sundowns News Today: Cardoso on Ndlovu’s two positions, CAF CL opponents & transfers

Latest Mamelodi Sundowns news, including coach Miguel Cardoso opening the door for Siyanda Ndlovu in two attacking roles, and the club’s CAF Champions League opponents being confirmed.

Cardoso on two roles Ndlovu can play at Sundowns

Mamelodi Sundowns head coach Miguel Cardoso has suggested that 22-year-old Siyanda Ndlovu could fill two different attacking roles at the club, in an indication of how highly the Portuguese tactician regards the youngster’s versatility.

Siyanda Ndlovu of Mamelodi Sundowns celebrates his goal. Image: Mamelodi Sundowns

Ndlovu was brought in from Golden Arrows during the off-season and has made a strong start to life at Sundowns, contributing two goals and an assist across his last two appearances for the club.

While Ndlovu has indicated he feels most comfortable on the right flank, Cardoso stressed that the decision ultimately comes down to where the player believes he can have the most impact.

“It’s where he feels he can be better in the positions we have on our pitch — where do you think you can be better? So I don’t put the player in a position that he doesn’t feel confident to play,” Cardoso said as quoted by iDiski Times.

Bryan Leon, Tashreeq Matthes and Siyanda Ndlovu of Mamelodi Sundowns celebrate a goal against Siwelele FC. Image: SuperSport

“The first thing that can make a player express himself technically inside the pitch is that he has joy to play, especially at Sundowns. The way we play must be played with a lot of pleasure.”

Cardoso also revealed that former Sundowns coach Manqoba Mngqithi had long identified Ndlovu as a natural number 10, and confirmed he shares that assessment.

“Remember coach Manqoba speaking about him as a number 10. We know he has potential to play inside. He’s a player that can open spaces but in narrow spaces, he can still dribble — in open

CAF Champions League opponents confirmed

Mamelodi Sundowns now know who stands between them and the CAF Champions League group stages, after their second preliminary round opponents were confirmed.

Wiliete SC of Angola will face Mamelodi Sundowns in CAF Champions League.

The reigning champions were handed a bye through the opening round after being included among the seeded teams. They will now face Angola’s Wiliete SC, who secured their place in the next stage by beating Seychelles outfit Foresters FC 5-1 on aggregate, with the decisive second leg won 1-0.

Wiliete, who finished second in the Girabola last season, feature a familiar face in their ranks — former Orlando Pirates winger Gilberto Miguel, who was among the scorers in their first-round campaign.

The winner of the tie between Sundowns and Wiliete will secure a place in the Champions League group stages, with CAF confirming the second preliminary round fixtures are scheduled for 16–18 October.