Cardoso Teases Upcoming Signings Before Transfer Window Closes

Mamelodi Sundowns Coach Miguel Cardoso Hints at New Signings

Mamelodi Sundowns coach Miguel Cardoso has hinted that the Brazilians may add more players to their squad before the current transfer window closes on Monday.

Speaking after their laboured draw against Marumo Gallants at Dr Molemela Stadium on Wednesday, Cardoso acknowledged that the team requires additional quality in attack.

“Yes, I expect us to add more players, and it’s clear that the team needs extra quality in the front,” Cardoso stated.

“We lost important results this season so far, and our name has a lot of impact on our team. It’s clear that we’re still trying to find the right connections to develop well where we want to be.”

However, the Portuguese mentor expressed his faith in the current players, noting that some of them are very young and may not be ready to handle the responsibilities of a team like Sundowns.

“We believe in our players so much, but some of them are very young, and they cannot cope with the responsibilities to carry a team like Mamelodi Sundowns that needs to win each game,” he added.

While results are significant, Cardoso emphasized the necessity of trusting the current squad and the solutions they present.

“Obviously, it’s important we can take results, but for now, we depend on the solutions that we have, and we need to trust the current players. Other teams signed many players, unlike us,” he explained.

Sundowns have so far secured only two signings this season: Fawaz Basadien from Stellenbosch and Katlego Ntsabeleng on loan from FC Dallas in the United States. Basadien has featured in just three league games, while Ntsabeleng is yet to see any playing time.

A significant departure for Sundowns this season was Brazilian forward Lucas Ribeiro Costa, who transferred to the Spanish club Cultural Leonesa. The 26-year-old was pivotal for Sundowns last season, contributing to their Betway Premiership success.

Ribeiro also garnered five individual awards with Sundowns last season, including the Betway Premiership Players’ Player of the Season, Golden Boot, Best Goal of the Season, Footballer of the Season, and the Best Goal of the Tournament award in the FIFA Club World Cup.