After a tense few months with uncertainty surrounding his future, Mamelodi Sundowns defender Divine Lunga can now breathe a sigh of relief as his prospects with the Brazilians appear brighter.
As previously reported by Soccer Laduma, the Zimbabwean defender was on the brink of leaving the defending league champions.
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However, insiders at the club have indicated that new coach Miguel Cardoso has reassured Lunga of his place in the team.
The Siya sources added that changes in team strategy and player roles were part of Cardoso's approach, which includes a revised plan for Lunga.
"Many things are changing under Cardoso and one of them is how he wants the team to play with the wings and that's why he wants to use Aubrey Modiba more as a winger than a left back and that gives Divine Lunga the chance to play more regularly as a left back. He will mainly be competing with Asekho Tiwani and Terrence Mashego but coach Cardoso has made it clear that he sees Lunga playing an important role as a left back," the Siya source stated.
A second insider noted that the coach and his technical team have advised management to keep Lunga beyond his current contract.
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"Things are looking positive for Divine since the arrival of coach Miguel Cardoso. There is light at the end of the tunnel so much so that even his stay at the club looks positive as his contract comes towards the end. It's believed the technical team wants him to stay as long as they are still in the team," the second insider stated.
This season, the Zimbabwean defender has featured in a few Betway Premiership games, indicating a more promising campaign compared to previous seasons when he played fewer than 10 games. His regular appearances for Sundowns will enhance his chances of being selected for the Zimbabwe national team ahead of the Africa Cup of Nations 2025 in Morocco next December.
Soccer Laduma contacted Sundowns but the club had not responded by this time report was published.
Lunga's renewed position within Sundowns showcases Cardoso's influence in transforming the team's dynamics. As Lunga continues to integrate into the first team, his contributions on the field are expected to fortify both his club performance and his national team aspirations, marking a positive turning point in his career.
