Mamelodi Sundowns head coach Miguel Cardoso has given an update on Deano van Rooyen’s readiness to make his debut for the Brazilians.
The 29-year-old was confirmed as a new Masandawana player last Sunday, arriving at Chloorkop as a free agent. His signing by Sundowns came after a shock departure from Orlando Pirates.
The African champions signed the right-back to address an injury crisis that has sidelined Khuliso Mudau. That left Cardoso with Thapelo Morena and Zuko Mdunyelwa as the only two natural options on the right side of defence. However, central defender Kegan Johannes is also comfortable as a right-back.
Van Rooyen was signed by the Brazilians, who are also being linked with Polokwane City FC and Bafana Bafana right-back Thabang Matuludi. Should Sundowns go on to sign Matuludi, competition at right-back would be stiffer by having South African internationals in that role.
‘HE IS NOT FAT’: MIGUEL CARDOSO ON DEANO VAN ROOYEN’S FITNESS
Van Rooyen was part of Pirates’ full pre-season in Spain but did not feature in any of their competitive games this term. With fewer concerns about his fitness levels, that brings him closer to making his debut for Sundowns.
“Deano, we think he can add things to the team; otherwise, he would not come to Sundowns. He is a quality player; his career speaks for him,” said Cardoso.
“We need to integrate him as best as possible and as quickly as possible. Also, we trust the players we have, and we will continue to trust them, but we need more options. We need not only to bring quality, but to bring numbers so that if there is a case of an injury, we don’t stay looking in the sky without options. He will be ready pretty quickly.
“He is not fat at the moment. So, there are not a lot of worries on the condition regarding body composition. It’s obviously a matter of physicality in terms of picking the pace to play games.”
CARDOSO ON WHAT MAKES VAN ROOYEN’S ADAPTATION AT SUNDOWNS SEAMLESS
On Wednesday, Van Rooyen featured in a friendly match involving players who were not in the Sundowns matchday squad for the Betway Premiership match against Siwelele FC. The defender played 50 minutes as he draws closer to making his Masandawana debut.
Cardoso has explained what makes the former Stellenbosch FC captain’s adjustment easy at Sundowns, where he has the likes of Iqraam Rayners and Fawaaz Basadien as his former teammates at the Cape Winelands side.
“He will, for sure, in the proper time understand what we want from the position. He is versatile, clever, and has a lot of experience. So, he will understand very quickly whatever we ask from him,” added the Portuguese coach.
“We even decided to take him in camp, so he was with the team. He left in the morning to go train and came back, so he can be integrated into the team as soon as possible.
“Also, it’s a social process that needs to happen. It’s obvious everybody knows him, and most of them are friends. It’s a nice thing that doesn’t happen in other countries, but in South Africa, players have a friendly relationship even when they’re on rival teams.
“We see that after the matches, it’s clear, so it’s easier for them to integrate. If a player from Benfica came to Porto, or from Porto to Benfica, it would be more difficult. But here it doesn’t happen. So, he was pretty welcomed and beautifully welcomed…”
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