Why Malibongwe Khoza was released for CHAN – Miguel Cardoso | OneFootball

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Cardoso explains decision to release Khoza for CHAN

Photo: Mamelodi Sundowns

Mamelodi Sundowns coach Miguel Cardoso has shed light on why the club released Malibongwe Khoza for the African Nations Championship (CHAN), where Bafana Bafana crashed out in the group stages of the tournament.

The Masandawana academy graduate caught the eye after breaking into the star-studded first team last season, going on to make a total of 30 appearances across all competitions, including the CAF Champions League.

His rise to prominence earned him a spot in Molefi Ntseki’s final squad for the CHAN tournament, where he was deployed as a holding midfielder. Khoza was a vital cog in the heart of the midfield as he featured in all the group stage matches.

While the 21-year-old defender excelled in the midfield, the Downs mentor doesn’t intend to play him in a similar role at club level. Furthermore, the Portuguese tactician revealed that Sundowns released Khoza in a bid to afford him ample game time and international experience.

“We know in the Diski [DDC] team he played many matches as a no.6. We think of him as more of a center-back by the qualities he has shown already at Mamelodi Sundowns. He went to the CHAN because we knew that he would play, that was the condition for him to go,” said Cardoso.

“And for us it’s very important to hand the chance to such a young player, but already with many PSL and Champions League matches, to have the chance to play an international tournament like that – so for him it was very important to get that chance.

“We afforded him the opportunity in a moment that we knew we had other center-backs to play in the team, also to provide him with the experience that allows him to become better. I believe that he will become stronger and stronger so that we can profit from that as it was the intention.

The highly rated starlet is yet to feature in any official games for the Tshwane giants this season, having recently returned from national duty. Khoza will be determined to play his way back into the team, with competition for a regular starting berth stiff.