Mamelodi Sundowns head coach Miguel Cardoso kept his cards close to his chest when asked about the club’s high-profile acquisition of Thabang Matuludi from Polokwane City FC.
The Bafana Bafana right-back completed his move from Polokwane City FC to Sundowns on Wednesday, opening a new chapter in his career as first reported by FARPost.
Matuludi landed at OR Tambo International Airport on Wednesday morning, where he was spotted by this publication before putting pen to paper with the reigning CAF Champions League winners
The highly rated defender moved to Masandawana after the club suffered a major blow when their undisputed first-choice right-back, Khuliso Mudau, suffered a long-term injury.
Matuludi signed with Sundowns a few days after the Tshwane giants announced the arrival of Deano Van Rooyen, who joined on a free transfer after parting ways with Orlando Pirates in the current transfer window.
Sundowns beat rivals Pirates to the signature of Matuludi, who established himself as one of the best players in the Betway Premiership in the past few seasons. The 27-year-old impressed in the colours of Rise and Shine with over 70 appearances across all competitions, scoring six and providing two assists.
WHAT CARDOSO SAID ABOUT MATULUDI’S TRANSFER
Speaking after Sundowns’ 3-0 victory over Siwelele FC at Loftus Versfeld Stadium on Wednesday night, Cardoso refused to be drawn on Matuludi’s transfer. The Portuguese tactician neither confirmed nor denied the signing, emphasising that he adheres to strict club protocol and will only discuss new arrivals once they are officially unveiled by Masandawana.
“You are asking me a question that I don’t have answers for. You are telling me that the next day there is a player [we are going to announce]; you are more sure about that than me,” Cardoso said.
“I don’t have that information [about Matuludi]. I can speak about Deano; he has arrived, he is here. Any players that get officially announced, we can discuss that.
“So I don’t want to go over the natural processes that happen inside the club. There is a guideline that we follow in every process; the coach can’t speak before the official announcement. So, whether it will happen, let’s see.”
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