Mamelodi Sundowns head coach Miguel Cardoso says Malinbongwe Khoza will develop into an important player for club and country and will benefit from the competition at the club.
Khoza, 20, has emerged as one of the breakout talents of South African football this season at Sundowns, since being promoted from their DStv Diski Challenge squad.
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He’s featured 20 times in all competitions, first breaking through under former coach Manqoba Mngqithi and continuing his impressive form under Cardoso. But the arrival of Keanu Cupido and Lucas Suarez added further competition for the centre-back role in the mid-season window.
The Argentine Suarez has started back to back games, at the expense of Khoza, while Grant Kekana was the defensive partner in the two games.
Mothobi Mvala, Mosa Lebusa, takes their options to six players for the position, while Divine Lunga, Rivaldo Coetzee and Kegan Johannes can also be utilised in central roles.
“Mali has been making wonderful season, it’s his first professional season and he’s become very important, due to the fact he showed the level when he was called, so we feel very happy about his development, we trust him so much,” Cardoso said about the youngster.
“We know he’s an asset, but he’s also an asset we should protect in certain moments, which is what happened [not playing against Pirates and Galaxy], but at the same time, it’s clear competition is very tight in that position.
“As I said, in a month Mothobi will be rejoining the group and he will increase the level of that competition, not only Mali stood out, Mosa also played several games with us very well – we’re happy with the performances.”
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Mngqithi suggested that Khoza has a major chance to be part of the Bafana Bafana squad at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco, and while Cardoso didn’t repeat the notion, he echoed the massive potential the Sundowns academy product is displaying.
“For sure, Mali will get back into the team, but he will come back naturally with the level of rotation we will need to apply so that we can competitive all the time, we’re happy with him, he will be an asset, and very important, not only for the club but for South African football,” he continued.
“We will work hard with him to make him even stronger, he can be stornger in the future, that will come with learning from the coaches but also from teammates, he has very good examples about what it is to play that position, he will become very strong and an important player – for sure.”
