Mamelodi Sundowns coach Miguel Cardoso has been lauded by club's legend Hlompho Kekana for what he has managed to do in a short time.
The Portuguese took over from Manqoba Mngqithi who lasted barely six months after succeeding Rulani Mokwena. In Mngqithi's reign, the players seemed to lack consistency and struggled when it mattered.
Cardoso has since helped the team reach the Caf Champions League quarter-final, and are three points clear of second-placed Orlando Pirates at the top of the Premier Soccer League table.
However, the reason why Kekana is happy with the tactician is the environment created for the players. He believes the former Esperance coach will deliver if only he is accorded more time to shape his team.
Remember Cardoso didn't have pre-season
“When I see the players having smiles on their faces it means they are enjoying themselves and they want to impress the coach,” Kekana told Pitchside Podcast.
“Coach Cardoso will need time because he is a new guy and he found the team in the season already. Any coach will tell you that they need specific players that they want to use. So he will need time and a lot of games because you can easily check players during the games.
“Remember he didn’t have a pre-season. So we will have to wait and see as he adapts in that space. But I have no doubt. I am sure the players that have been given an opportunity to play for Mamelodi Sundowns up to this far have impressed the coach
“It is also normal to sulk when you are not in the team because it shows you care about the team. I would like to see those players raising their hands and showing they want to play,” he concluded.
