Mamelodi Sundowns head coach Miguel Cardoso has spoken candidly ahead of Saturday’s Betway Premiership showdown against Orlando Pirates at Loftus Versfeld, addressing Peter Shalulile’s resurgence, Themba Zwane’s recovery, and the frustration of losing Teboho Mokoena to suspension.
The Portuguese mentor, who has guided the Brazilians to an impressive start to the season, admitted that while his squad remains confident, the buildup to this fixture has come with emotional highs and lows.
Shalulile Back in Form After Early-Season Uncertainty
Cardoso praised Namibian striker Peter Shalulile for rediscovering his form after a difficult start to the campaign that saw him struggle for game time and face speculation about his future at the club.
“Regarding Peter or any player in the team, there are moments – and we believe Peter is in a good moment now,” Cardoso said.
“He’s much happier, but that came also from the beginning of the season and the situation that Peter had. There were some issues regarding him staying or not in the club. There were some questions. When the heart became together, the smiles appeared, the performances appeared,” he explained.
Shalulile, who found himself behind Iqraam Rayners earlier this season, seized his opportunity when Rayners was withdrawn from international duty due to a heart-related concern. His response, Cardoso said, showed true professionalism and commitment.
“For some time already, Peter has been training very, very well – being committed with the job,” the coach added. “He just didn’t play sooner because, as you understand, he was scoring goals almost every match, and we don’t usually line up two strikers at the same time, just in some moments. So, Peter waited with patience and hard work and belief as a good professional as he is, waiting for the moment.”
“When Iqraam got this heart issue on the national team and was released, Peter stood up and showed again – with more regularity – the level of player he is and most of all how he is committed with us, with the work he does together with the coaches, teammates, and the club.”
Zwane Back in Training but Not Match-Ready
Cardoso also shared an update on Themba Zwane, who has been out since suffering an injury in September during Sundowns’ 3–0 win over Magesi FC. While the veteran midfielder is back on the training ground, Cardoso cautioned that he is still working his way back to full fitness.
“This is a delicate question. It again touches on the work of another coach. I don’t like it when other coaches speak about my job and it has to be part of respect,” Cardoso began, referring to Bafana Bafana coach Hugo Broos.
“As you might believe, I told you publicly me and coach Hugo Broos we have a very good relationship and a very good communication, so everything that happens with Mamelodi Sundowns players regarding call-ups or ability he is 100% aware of that,” he said.
“What he needs he calls me and also after matches, thank God I usually congratulate him which means he wins a lot. But I also ask him things about players and their performances, the availability, the training, lots. He is so open on our relationship to make things better for us here and for the national team when it’s for the services of the national team.
“If you ask me my expectations and my wishes, of course it’s that for Themba should go. With the respect and love we have for Themba Zwane, I wish nothing less than having him on the highest platform of South African football.”
“He is no longer a youngster anymore despite the fact that he still has the flame and pleasure to play football at the highest level. We need to bring him back to competition and from there everything will be open for the national team,” Cardoso concluded.
Zwane trained separately from the group during Thursday’s open session. “He is still not ready to work with the group,” Cardoso confirmed. “He is returning to training but not to performance. It means he is not getting physical training to play football. He has to recover his condition. We will take him to the limits so that he is available for us and for Bafana Bafana.”
Mokoena Suspended but ‘Smiling Again’
Cardoso also confirmed that key midfielder Teboho Mokoena will miss the clash after receiving his fourth yellow card during last weekend’s Carling Knockout Cup tie against Marumo Gallants, a booking that came in the final minutes of the match.
“It’s also very coincident that in the last minute of a match he gets a yellow card and we play Pirates after that, I believe in coincidences,” Cardoso said with a wry smile.
Despite the setback, the coach praised Mokoena’s mental resilience following a difficult few months linked to Bafana Bafana’s World Cup qualification campaign.
“I think it’s clear for everybody that Teboho had a very difficult moment in his personal life due to the situation he had to deal with,” Cardoso said.
“No one would like to keep his name, despite he had no responsibility, associated with the situation that would have touched the country for history.
“And until his last day of life with something negative. I think that after the qualification of Bafana Bafana for the World Cup, it’s clear that Teboho is another man and we feel so happy because of that.
“It’s a human question that was on the table and it was clear for everybody that Teboho was not in the best place. But now we feel him happy, we feel him communicating, we feel him smiling. And I believe that the best Teboho Mokoena will come in the next matches again to help us because he is a leader also for us.”
High Stakes at Loftus
The encounter against Orlando Pirates promises to be a high-intensity battle between two of South Africa’s football heavyweights. Both sides are known for their attacking flair and CAF Champions League experience, and this clash could influence the race for the top spot.
With confidence restored in Shalulile and optimism surrounding Zwane’s recovery, Sundowns enter the fixture with momentum and belief. Fans can expect an electric afternoon in Pretoria as two giants collide once again.
Check also: Carling Knockout Cup Semi-final Fixtures Confirmed
