Mamelodi Sundowns head coach Miguel Cardoso has admitted the uncertainty of the futures of certain players in the current transfer window has affected the squad at the start of the new season.
Sundowns forward Lucas Ribeiro Costa has not featured in their opening three games with the Brazilian forward said to be in Qatar waiting for his potential move to be finalised, after agreeing personal terms with Qatar SC.
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Khuliso Mudau is another major absentee, with the Bafana Bafana right back looking for improved terms after interest in his services was rebuffed from Isreal.
Peter Shalulile has also been subject of exit talks with Esperance Sportive de Tunis, Al Hilal Omdurman, among the several suitors for the Namibia international striker added to players out of favour looking for first team football and Kutlwano Letlahku handing in a transfer request last week, accoring to his agent Matthew Moore of Centre Circle.
“It’s not easy to deal with what’s happening in the team and not worry about that or not be concerned about that, or not believe it’s not impacting the team, we would be naive to think things can happen and the players don’t relate with those things,” Cardoso said.
“They do, they are firends, they are inside the locker room, they for sure speak [to each other] so it’s impossible [not to affect them], but it’s possible to keep a strong mentality and a strong will to win every match, despite those things happening.
“It’s the values we want to grow and that we have inside the locker room, that don’t allow the direction of the team or club to go this way because of events that might happen [players leaving].”
Amidst the issues that have crept in after impressing on a global stage in United States of America for the FIFA Club World Cup, Cardoso’s side have managed to win their MTN8 opener against Richards Bay, draw 1-1 with Chippa United and beat AmaZulu 2-0 in their opening two league games.
“Look, the transfer market is always tough and after a Club World Cup where the team performs they way they performed there’s always going to be instability of proposals that arrive that can touch the players, it’s like that, it’s obviously like that,” he added.
“But the club is very professional and has a very clear idea of how to relate to things and the maturity we find inside the club will allows the players in the dressing room to understand the things are being handled in the right way.
“It will take time, yes, because it’s not Monday to the other we solve some of these issues, we need time, but they will be solved in proper time. Until then it’s important we win as much as possible. So that meanwhile with the players who will come back or be signed, take the team further in terms of development of course.”
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