Miguel Cardoso clears the air on record-breaking Peter Shalulile’s future | OneFootball

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Cardoso hails record-breaking Shalulile, sets record straight on uncertain future

Photo: Lefty Shivambu/ Gallo Images

Mamelodi Sundowns head coach Miguel Cardoso has reacted to Peter Shalulile’s record-breaking goal in the PSL and addressed the player’s uncertain future amidst reports linking him with a move away from Chloorkop.

The Namibian international scored the solitary goal that downed Stellenbosch FC at Athlone Stadium on Saturday and set a new PSL record with 130 goals scored in the South African topflight, surpassing Siyabonga Nomvethe’s 129 goals.

Cardoso heaped praise on Shalulile for achieving the historic milestone and stated that the 31-year-old prolific forward will be managed like the rest of the players in the squad, with the Masandawana faithful constantly voicing their displeasure over his lack of game time.

“I take this moment to congratulate Peter, as it is clear, I have been saying that Peter is an important player for us and will always be, until he one day, let’s hope it is far away from now on time, he leaves the club,” he said.

“And naturally he will be used according to the management of the team and today he played, he made a very good performance, and he scored the goal that gives hm the highest position as the top scorer in the history of the PSL. So, fantastic contribution from Peter.

The Portuguese tactician went on to put the rumors of Shalulile’s potential exit to bed as Esperance de Tunis were reportedly keen on acquiring the player’s services. Furthermore, the Downs mentor highlighted the fierce competition for a starting berth in the no.9 role.

“Peter doesn’t struggle on anything with us. Peter is a very important player for the club, he is very important for the coach, and he is very important for everybody. We should also remember that we have other no.9’s in the team,” Cardoso added.

“Lebo Mothiba who is an international player that is still coming back [to his best], very good player. He was playing in France as you know in the best teams. He is still not at the level [required] but coming also. He is not on the level to be in the starting XI.

“Iqraam Rayners, Last year he was just not the top scorer, but he was the second one by just one goal behind Lucas Ribeiro and he didn’t take a single penalty or at least most of the penalties. So, the competition is very high.

“It’s not a matter of Peter, just that we need to manage the players and Peter played against Magesi [last week] and he scored. He played today [Saturday] and he scored, so if we play him, it’s because I trust [him].

“There is no single player that lines up for Mamelodi Sundowns that we don’t trust, but also there’s no single player in the squad that we don’t trust because otherwise they wouldn’t be here. And it’s important that people understand that supporting the team is supporting Peter and supporting Peter is supporting the team.