Ntandoyenkosi Nkosi has been given the encouragement to keep his head up at Mamelodi Sundowns as he awaits his chance in the first team.
Nkosi has long proven that he has outgrown the DStv Diski Challenge and now needs a test in the senior team.
While Nkosi has made seven appearances for the first time in the past, he is yet to get an opportunity since Cardoso took over in December 2024.
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“I will speak about Ntando because he deserves it,” says Cardoso.
“I say so because he is honest, humble, and a quality player.
“If I would put to you the message on my phone regarding his performance in a friendly match under my assistant coach Pedro (Azevedo) who stayed behind you would have the answer to that question.
“He told me that we have to give a chance to this boy.
“It is important to understand who this boy has in his position, two international players, one is called Teboho Mokoena and the other one Bathusi Aubaas.
“It is not easy for him to overcome that difficulty.
“I would like so much that we could finish the championship in a way that he can prove himself in front of everyone in a championship match because he has the level to play in a PSL match, no doubt.
“I totally agree with that we should provide him in the future with the environment that allows him to continue with his process of development.
“Ntando is proving himself every day in the middle of high-level players that he is also a stimulus of growth but also needs to prove himself at a competitive level.
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“In the diski they have some interesting games because we have been watching them, and I saw them live.
“The growth of a player comes with also dealing with the emotions.
“Ntando already made some mistakes regarding that but the fact that he made those mistakes, and we worked on them is a way of growing for him to be at the level that he needs to be in the future.
“Let’s see what will be the next stage towards his development,” says Cardoso.
