Mamelodi Sundowns head coach Miguel Cardoso has addressed Khulumani Ndamane’s challenges at the Tshwane giants following a pair of costly errors that have marred the defender’s recent performances.
The Bafana Bafana international was in the starting line-up when Sundowns claimed a historic 7-4 victory over Siwelele FC, which is the highest scoring game in the history of the PSL since its formation in 1996.
Sundowns had a flying start to the match against Siwelele after scoring five goals in the first-half in the Betway Premiership match at the Lucas Masterpieces Moripe Stadium on Saturday night. Despite a scoring spree that saw the defending champions add two more goals in the second half, Sundowns suffered a rare defensive collapse, leaking four goals to concede more than twice in a single match for the first time this season across all competitions.
Cardoso’s side missed a crucial opportunity to close the goal-difference gap on Orlando Pirates, a factor that could prove decisive in a title race likely to be settled by the narrowest of margins. Pirates currently hold a healthy advantage, sitting seven goals ahead of the defending champions.
While the Brazilians remain at the top of the table with 68 points, the second-placed Buccaneers have amassed 65 points with a game in hand and a superior scoring record that keeps the pressure firmly on the Tshwane giants. And with Sundowns having only one fixture remaining and the Buccaneers still holding two, every goal and point has become a critical commodity in the battle for the crown.
‘NDAMANE IS FATIGUED’ – MIGUEL CARDOSO
In a match where the Sundowns’ backline appeared uncharacteristically shaky, Ndamane was once again at the centre of the storm, gifting Siwelele a goal after they pounced on his misplaced back-pass.
The talented centre-back, who joined Masandawana from TS Galaxy during the January window, has endured an erratic run of form lately. This latest slip-up follows a costly penalty he conceded during a 1-1 draw against Stellenbosch FC—a result that saw the Chloorkop-based side drop two vital points in the heat of the title race.
Addressing the Bafana Bafana defender’s recent struggles, Cardoso has thrown his full support behind the Kaizer Chiefs youth product, suggesting that the errors are a direct consequence of fatigue.
“It’s clear that he [Ndamane] is tired. He is not so reactive; it’s true he’s tired,” Cardoso said. “He’s the only left-footed centre-back we have, and we decided to play him again [against Siwelele].
“So it’s clear that he’s tired; fatigue is not only physical, but also mental. The capacity to make tactical and technical decisions is delayed a bit.
“For example, today [Saturday], you look at the pass that gave the goal to the opponents, he was late on the decision, he could have made that decision quicker, so that’s from the fatigue he accumulated, it’s something I have to take into consideration.”
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