Miguel Cardoso reveals Bennet Mokoena best position

Mamelodi Sundowns head coach Miguel Cardoso has revealed the best position for talented forward Bennet Mokoena, who has been a regular feature in the first-team in the opening stages of the current campaign.

The 19-year-old centre-forward made his senior team debut in September 2025 in a Betway Premiership clash against Golden Arrows, and went on to make a total of two appearances across all competitions last season.

He spent a large chunk of the previous term with the Dstv Diski Challenge (DDC) side, where he scored a staggering 22 goals, which earned him the prestigious Player of the Season award in the reserve league.

Contrary to the 2025/26 season, Mokoena has been afforded ample opportunities in the first-team this campaign, as he featured in eight matches across all competitions, and opened his Sundowns account in the 5-2 thrashing of AmaZulu FC in the league.

While the Vaal-born goal poacher has undeniable potential, Cardoso acknowledges he's not the finished article, noting that there's room for improvement in the player's understanding of the team's tactical framework.

“Bennet is a player that we see with a lot of potential. It's clear that there are still a lot of things that he needs to look for on the understanding of the collective game that the team plays,” said the Sundowns boss.

"This will help him so that he can state himself in the level that we want him to state in the future, but that is absolutely normal. If you see Siyanda [Ndlovu] for example, he's 22-years-old, Bennet is 19, recently turned it, so we're speaking about a very young player that has already been stating himself in an interesting level.

"But a lot of work to do. Obviously, opportunities like today [Wednesday] promote that growth quicker, and we know that game exposure is also high level stimulus of development and that's also a job that coaches have to do. We trust, we believe.

The Portuguese tactician says he doesn't perceive Mokoena as a no.9 like prolific frontman Brayan Leon, stating the teenager is at his best when playing in between a target man and the midfield.

“I see him more in the position behind the striker, in between the lines. He's very focused on the goal, we know that he's a player that can score,” added Cardoso, who guided the Brazilians to CAF Champions League glory last season.

"But if you could watch him during the last year, most of the games he was not really a no.9 like Brayan Leon that stays more in the position, plays forward. He's a player that connects, that drops - and that is the profile.

"So, for us, I see him more as a nine-and-a-half if you understand the metaphor, rather than a clear nine. But the main goal, a good player I think Sundowns obviously has for the future, but also a player we count on. He has been giving us answers and I think positive ones.

The reigning African champions, meanwhile, return to action with a Betway Premiership clash against Golden Arrows at King Zwelithini Stadium on Sunday, in what will be a third meeting between the two teams in a period of two weeks.

Hlayisani Magoro

Editorfr, en

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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