Miguel Cardoso on Teboho Mokoena's play: He is the type of player with character, leadership and he is a model professional

Teboho Mokoena is the type of player Miguel Cardoso prefers to have in his team.

The Mamelodi Sundowns coach said Mokoena has the ability to rise to the occasion when the team is down.

Cadoso said the former SuperSport United midfielder has character.

“I love the players like Mokoena, they know they have to perform all the time,” said Cardoso.

“And I think this season, Teboho had a moment where he was tired that came from the accumulation of fatigue even from the previous season.

“And it was not an easy start for him. We spoke a lot about it, but when you have character, you can come back.

“We’re speaking about players who have character and we know the dynamics and he came back in a good level.”

“What you expect when you bring Teboho on the pitch is that he brings the right players energy.

“That’s what I ask from him, take the leadership inside, that’s what we also ask from Themba when the team is in this moment struggling, you bring brains and manage the game, settle down the game, calm the team so they team can have someone who connects everyone, so the team can cool down.”

Mokoena will be expected to play a leading role for Sundowns on Sunday when they play their Caf Champions League second leg quarterfinal match in Mali.

They won 3-0 at home against Stade Malien and they will be looking preserve that lead on Sunday.