Miguel Cardoso explains Malibongwe Khoza sudden demotion

For the first time since Cardoso took over, the 20-year-old was relegated to the bench in back-to-back Betway Premiership fixtures against Orlando Pirates and TS Galaxy. 

Since Sundowns signed Argentine full-back Lucas Suarez last month, Khoza appears to have dropped down the pecking order and Cardoso has explained the reason for this.

"Mali has been making a wonderful season, and we should remember that it's his first full professional season, let's say, and he became very important due to the fact that he showed [an adequate] level when he was called [upon]," said Cardoso.

"So we feel very happy about his development, we trust him so much, and we know that he's an asset, but he's also an asset that we should protect in certain moments.

"And that's exactly what has happened, but, at the same time, it's clear that competition is very tight in that position, and eventually Mothobi will be rejoining the group and he will also increase the level of that competition."

Furthermore, The Brazilians recently recruited Keanu Cupido from Cape Town City during the January transfer window, giving Cardoso a selection poser in that position, but he is adamant Khoza remains a bright prospect not only for Sundowns, but the national team.

"Not only Mali has stayed out, Mosa [Lebusa] also played several games with us – and [did] very well, and basically we are happy with the performances," he added.

"For sure Mali will come back into the team, but he'll come back naturally with the level of rotation that we'll need to apply so that we can be competitive all the time.

"We are, as I said and I'll repeat, very happy with him, he'll be a very important asset not only for the club, but also for South African football, and we'll continue to work hard with to make him even stronger.

"Because I think he can be even stronger in the future, and that will also come from the learning process he gets from the coaches, but also from his teammates.

"Because the fact that he has high-level [competition] for the position also, which obliges him to work hard, and he has very good examples on his side for what it is to play in that position, so he'll get very strong and remain a very important player."

READ: Nabi prioritising specialist left-back for Kaizer Chiefs