Miguel Cardoso hails Mamelodi Sundowns star in Kaizer Chiefs stalemate | OneFootball

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Cardoso heaps praise on Sundowns star after Chiefs draw

Photo: Mosa Lebusa and Malibongwe Khoza

Mamelodi Sundowns head coach Miguel Cardoso has reserved special praise for one of his player’s strong performance in their goalless draw against in-form Kaizer Chiefs during the midweek league action.

The two sides maintained their unbeaten record in the 2025/26 season as the defending Betway Premiership champions remained in third place after accumulating eight points in their opening four matches.

While the stalemate with Chiefs will be seen as another major setback by the Masandawana faithful, the Portuguese mentor found a silver lining in Malinbongwe Khoza’s performance at the heart of defense.

Cardoso was left impressed by the 21-year-old center-back’s showing, considering that it was his first match in the new campaign as he recently returned from national duty, where he excelled for Bafana Bafana as a no.6 at the African Nations Championship (CHAN).

“Malibongwe Khoza just arrived from the national team, he played very well in another position, and we had no problem to put him to play [against Kaizer Chiefs] and he played very well, and this is exactly what we do, we trust,” he said.

“How many times have I spoken about trust in our locker room – a player comes, and we have no problems because we trust and they just have to give answers because when we trust and they give answers, they are closer to repeat and play.

The 53-year-old former Esperance de Tunis boss continued: “I’m very happy about the performance that he had.

Sundowns will return to action with a visit to the mother city where they are set to square off against Stellenbosch FC at Athlone Stadium on Saturday (15h00). Like the Brazilians, Stellies also had an uncharacteristic start as they won only one of their first four league outings.