Miguel Cardoso urges patience with new signing Lazola Maku

Mamelodi Sundowns head coach Miguel Cardoso has urged patience with newly signed Lazola Maku, who joined the Brazilians on a free transfer after months in the wilderness.

The Amajita captain parted ways with Siwelele FC upon the expiry of his contract at the end of last season, and subsequently underwent assessments in Austria with SV Ried and newly promoted second-tier outfit FC Wacker Innsbruck.

He returned home in preparation of the COSAFA U20 Championship, where the South African national team beat Mozambique 2-1 in the final to retain their crown last month.

Now, the 19-year-old midfielder is set for a new chapter at Chloorkop, and Cardoso has called for patience with his integration in the team, noting how difficult it is to stamp authority in the star-studded squad.

“It's not easy for a player to arrive in Sundowns and create a space automatically. Even Jayden [Adams] had difficulties to impose himself in Sundowns as soon as he arrived,” said the Downs mentor.

"So, don't put pressure on the boy, let him settle, he just arrived. He felt very comfortable among us, but there's a lot of competition there, he will have to prove a lot.

"Don't put pressure either on him, either on us. It doesn't mean that we don't trust, it doesn't mean that we don't recognize the quality, because we do. We trust and we recognize the quality.

The Portuguese tactician says Maku will get his opportunity to don the Sundowns jersey if he proves ready in training, with the reigning African champions spoilt for choice in midfield.

“Let the boy have the time to settle down and feel comfortable among ourselves and understand what we want from him, also because there's a lot of players in his place,” Cardoso added.

"It will come from the fight he's going to put with the others, the possibility of him to play or not.

Sundowns, meanwhile, swing back to action with the return leg of their CAF Champions League second preliminary round tie against Girabola log leaders Wiliete Benguela at Loftus Versfeld Stadium on Friday.

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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