Mamelodi Sundowns head coach Miguel Cardoso believes Siyanda Ndlovu has the qualities to thrive both as a winger and in the number 10 role.
The 22-year-old was signed from Golden Arrows during the off-season and has started to make his mark at Sundowns, contributing two goals and an assist across his last two appearances for the club.
While Ndlovu has indicated that he feels most comfortable operating from the right, Cardoso says the decision ultimately comes down to where the youngster believes he can have the biggest impact.
“I didn’t say I like him on the right, I said he likes it more on the right, it was very clear what I said – when he arrived, and for example a player like van Rooyen, we don’t ask him where he wants to play, because that’s not the question,” Cardoso said.
“It’s where he feels he can be better in the positions we have on our pitch – where do you think you can be better? So I don’t put the player in a position that he doesn’t feel confident to play.
“The first thing that can make a player express himself technically inside the pitch, is that he has joy to play, especially at Sundowns. The way we play must be played with a lot of pleasure.
“So the question is always: where do you feel you can help us more?”
Cardoso revealed that Ndlovu identified the right flank as his preferred position, although the coach also acknowledged the midfielder’s ability to operate centrally.
“He said, open on the right, I said, ‘uhm, okay’. Remember coach Manqoba speaking about him as a number 10,” he added.
“We know he has potential to play inside. He’s a player that can open spaces but in narrow spaces, he can still dribble, but in open spaces, he’s even better.
“The game he used to play at Arrows is a little different than the game he has to play here, but we know what he’s capable of playing inside and outside spaces.
“I think the analysis of Coach Manqoba is absolutely correct, he can play both positions.”
Ndlovu’s recent form suggests he is beginning to adapt to Sundowns’ demands, with his versatility potentially giving Cardoso another attacking option as the season progresses.