Mamelodi Sundowns coach Miguel Cardoso has given a clearer picture into the lack of game time currently being experienced by winger Thapelo Maseko.
Maseko is going through a testing period in his young career, watching Sundowns matches from the bench, the stands or his television, when he does not travel with the team.
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The former SuperSport United winger has been linked with an exit, but nothing has materialised thus far, and staying could mean he has to endure another painful season of limited game time. Last season, Maseko made 14 appearances, all as a substitute, in a campaign where Sundowns played over 50 matches.
Asked about Matias Esquivel's exit during an MTN8 press conference, Cardoso went on to further explain the situation of Maseko at Chloorkop.
"A player during a training session must show he is better than the ones playing in the same position. For example, let's think about Maseko. He is a player who can play mostly on the left or more inside on the right and he can also play as a number nine," Cardoso said to media during an MTN8 press conference on Thursday.
"On the left, we have (Siyabonga) Mabena and Tashreeq (Matthews). When Thapelo does not go inside on the left, it's because there is Mabena, and also Tashreeq is playing. On the right, we can also think the same way. On the right, if you don't play, it's because there is Arthur (Sales). Before there was Ribeiro and there's also Kutlwano Letlhaku. And in the front, he is not playing because there is Iqraam Rayners and Peter Shalulile. When people ask about this one and when a player asks me 'put me to play', he should understand that he is saying 'I am better than the ones who are also in these places'. But it's not in saying it, it's about showing it that makes him play. And sometimes the player has to state that not once, not twice, not three times, but 10 times."
Cardoso admitted that he was not convinced by the efforts of Arthur Sales when he arrived at the club in December, but the Brazilian player proved himself by scoring and assisting.
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"Because when I arrived at the club, I saw Sales and I thought 'he is not working hard for me to give confidence to play'. And I know how the club invested in him and people in the club believe in him, but he was not showing to me that he wants (to play). But he started showing. He started entering the matches, and assisting and scoring in training better. He was showing that I had to give him opportunities."
Maseko is not expected to feature when Sundowns visit Orlando Pirates in the MTN8 first leg semi-final at Orlando Stadium on Saturday.
