A further reminder of the quality of options available for Miguel Cardoso was on show again on Tuesday as Mamelodi Sundowns made their way to the semi-finals of the CAF Champions League.
The away match in Tunis against Esperance was never going to be for the faint-hearted but instead needed battle-hardened warriors.
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Up stepped Divine Lunga at left-back.
It didn’t matter that he has played only a third of the matches for Sundowns.
The 29-year-old has had minutes in only 15 matches while either sitting on the bench or remaining in the stands for almost double (28) the games he has played.
In putting the Champions League as the competition where he has played the most football this season, the Zimbabwean went about his duties at left-back with a smooth sail.
Needed to add numbers in the opposition half, he was there, just like he was quick enough to close gaps and press effectively when The Brazilians were without the ball.
It was a vintage display from Lunga, whose national team experience has come with silencing Mohamed Salah, while also dealing with Ahmed Musa, Riyad Mahrez, Christian Bassogog, and Samuel Chukwueze through that Warriors journey.
With that solid showing on Tuesday night, Cardoso was justified in opting to start with the former Golden Arrows man ahead of Aubrey Modiba at left-back in the Champions League in all but one of the games since he took over.
He has started five out of six under the Portuguese gaffer and was brought in at half-time in the other.
Modiba, who also plays further up the flank, has shared the responsibilities at left-back with Lunga and Asekho Tiwani.
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What is even scary for Sundowns is that they still have Terrence Mashego as another capable option in that position.
Beyond that, they have two left-footed central defenders in Mosa Lebusa and Lucas Suarez, who can play at left-back should the situation demand them to do so.
