Mamelodi Sundowns coach Miguel Cardoso has praised new signing Siyanda Ndlovu for the impact he has made since returning from injury, while explaining why the youngster has yet to feature for a full match.
Ndlovu, 22, has featured in two of Sundowns’ four matches this season, making his debut against Kaizer Chiefs before coming off the bench again in the 2-0 win over Marumo Gallants.
On both occasions, the midfielder impressed after being introduced in the second half. Against Gallants, he played a role in the build-up to Sundowns’ second goal.
Cardoso revealed after the match that Ndlovu picked up an injury just a week after joining them during the pre-season and that Sundowns are carefully managing his minutes to avoid rushing him back and risking another injury.
“Ndlovu arrived at Sundowns, he made one week and a few more days and he got a muscle injury. We went to Austria, he was injured and he started training with us a few, maybe one week ago,” said Cardoso.
“We know that we have limitations on his use in terms of minutes otherwise the risk of injury will increase as he plays more.
“So that is exactly the things that people that are from outside don’t understand because they are not in possession of all the information that we that are inside we work permanently on. It also depends on the level of matches because there are also behaviours inside the pitch that he doesn’t control.
“He’s obviously a fantastic, creative player that will help us for sure a lot as many others but his process of integration in the team is something we have to do naturally and carefully because when you come from an injury the worst thing that can happen is to go back on the same process.
“So that’s what we are doing and we are doing well and he’s also doing well on understanding and entering to help and I think he did very well.”