Mamelodi Sundowns head coach Miguel Cardoso has lauded the remarkable growth of young defender Malibongwe Khoza, who has secured a regular spot in the starting line-up despite being surrounded by a star-studded team.
At just 20 years of age, Khoza has quickly become one of South Africa's brightest prospects, impressing both coaches and fans alike with his performances on the field.
Khoza's rise to prominence began under the guidance of Sundowns' previous head coach Manqoba Mngqithi, who handed him a breakthrough opportunity in the first team. Cardoso has continued to nurture the youngster's development, speaking highly of his contributions to the squad.
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"We don't look at the passport or the citizenship document of the players regarding their age, sex, or colour. We don't look at any of that. We focus on the values and behaviours that players bring to the team. If they share the values of the club and have the right attitude on and off the pitch, we give them the opportunity to play," Cardoso said at the club's Chloorkop base.
The Sundowns coach emphasized that his approach is based on a holistic evaluation of players, considering their daily progress, and the tactical needs of each match. Despite having a wealth of experienced players in his squad, Khoza has earned his spot due to his professionalism and dedication, proving that age is no barrier to success at the club.
"Each game requires a specific approach and evaluation of the players' conditions. I'm speaking about Mali, but it's the same for every player. We evaluate them daily, and after that, we decide who plays based on the situation," Cardoso continued.
The central defensive position, where Khoza has primarily featured, is particularly competitive at Sundowns, with a wealth of options available to Cardoso. Veteran players like Mothobi Mvala, Keanu Cupido, Lucas Suarez, Mosa Lebusa, Grant Kekana, and Keegan Johannes all provide stiff competition. However, Cardoso welcomes the challenge of having multiple top-quality players in each position, describing it as a "positively difficult" situation for any coach.
"Mali is doing well for his first year in the first team. He's been coping well with the responsibility, and we trust him in every match. The competition for places will only get tougher as more players return, but that's exactly the kind of challenge we want," Cardoso said.
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