Mamelodi Sundowns coach Miguel Cardoso has given an honest assessment of striker Peter Shalulile after a failed move to leave the club.
The Namibian international was close to completing a move away from Sundowns before the start of the 2025/26 Betway Premiership season. At some point, Shalulile left the Sundowns camp to hold talks with Tunisian giants Esperance; however, the move fell through in the last minute.
After the failed transfer move, the talented striker returned to Masandawana to form part of Cardoso’s plans as they are eager to compete for major trophies.
Shalulile has made 12 appearances in all competitions for the Brazilians and scored four goals this season. The talisman played most of the matches as a second-half substitute, with Iqraam Rayners preferred in the striking position before picking up an injury a few weeks ago.
In the current campaign, Shalulile also broke the long-standing record of the all-time PSL top goal scorer after surpassing Siyabonga Nomvethe’s tally of 129 goals.
WHA CARDOSO SAID ABOUT THE FAILED SHALULILE MOVE
Cardoso has opened up on Shalulile’s situation and revealed that the former Highlands Park star is in good shape after having uncertainty around his future.
“Regarding Peter or any player in the team, there are moments, and he relates to having a good moment now,” Cardoso said. “He’s much happier, but that also came from the beginning of the season regarding the issues that he had with staying or not staying with the club.
“The were questions [around Shalulile’s future], and when the hearts came together, the performance started to appear, and Peter is training very well, being committed to the job, but we just didn’t play him sooner because Iqraam was scoring goals almost every match, and we don’t usually line up with two strikers.
“At the same time, Peter waited with patience and hard work, as good and as professional as he is. When Iqraam got injured in the national team, Peter stood up and showed that level of player he is with regular minutes and the work he does with the coaches and his teammates.”
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