No guarantees for the new boy! Cardoso sends clear message to Mamelodi Sundowns' latest signing
Lazola Maku has a lot to prove before earning his place at Mamelodi Sundowns.
Details: Mamelodi Sundowns head coach Miguel Cardoso has urged patience with new signing Lazola Maku, insisting that the young midfielder needs time to settle at Chloorkop before competing for a regular place in the team. The Portuguese tactician emphasised that the club recognises the youngster's quality but that competition in midfield remains intense.
Speaking about the midfielder's integration into the squad, Cardoso explained why the coaching staff are unwilling to rush his development.
“Let the boy have the time to settle down and feel comfortable amongst us, to understand what we want from him. There is a lot of competition there [in midfield]. He will have to prove a lot. Putting pressure on him or us doesn’t mean we don’t trust or recognise the quality, because we do, we trust and recognise the quality,” Cardoso stated.
The coach made it clear that patience should not be confused with a lack of confidence in Maku's abilities. However, the newcomer will have to adapt to the team's demands and prove himself against established midfielders before securing regular playing time.
It is worth noting that Maku officially joined Mamelodi Sundowns on October 20 as a free agent following his departure from Siwelele. The 19-year-old was part of South Africa's U-20 Africa Cup of Nations-winning squad in 2025 and captained the national U-20 team to the COSAFA title in 2026.
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Steven Perez
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