Miguel Cardoso downplays Teboho Mokoena exit rumours

Mamelodi Sundowns head coach Miguel Cardoso has poured cold water on speculations linking midfield general Teboho Mokoena with a move away from Chloorkop after impressing at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

This comes after the 28-year-old dynamic midfielder was dropped to the bench in the 2-0 win over newly promoted Milford FC in the Betway Premiership on Wednesday, albeit entered the fray for Bathusi Aubaas at half-time.

Whispers echoing in the Middle East indicate the AFC Champions League Elite holders, Al Ahli SC of Saudi Arabia, have earmarked Mokoena as the ideal replacement for Franck Kessie, who joined Atalanta on a free transfer last month.

Cardoso, however, has shrugged off the player's potential exit, setting the record straight that he started the match on the bench as part of a squad rotation policy ahead of the fixture congestion during the course of the season.

“Tebza stayed on the bench like other players, as you see like Brayan [Leon] stayed on the bench like players that started the previous one,” said the Portuguese tactician, who guided the Brazilians to CAF Champions League glory last term.

"Fawaaz [Basadien] started the previous one and stayed on the bench, [Thapelo] Morena started the previous one and stayed on the bench. [Khulumani] Ndamane didn't even come on the call-up.

"So, when you play matches with intensity, and I think you saw because you [media] praised it, the level that we put both in AmaZulu and then Arrows away, the intensity of that match.

"If we don't change few players today we would be on the knees in this match and for the future. So, the rotation of the players has to do with the management of the group and also providing opportunities for everybody - and nothing more than that.

The African champions, meanwhile, swing back to action with a Betway Premiership tie against Golden Arrows at King Zwelithini Stadium on Sunday, in what will be a third meeting in a space of two weeks between the two sides.

Hlayisani Magoro

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Football journalist from South Africa covering African football news, exclusive stories and key events while sharing insights with passionate fans of the game.

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