Siyanda Ndlovu joined the Brazilians from Golden Arrows ahead of the 2026/27 season and has quickly become part of Cardoso’s plans.
The 21-year-old has featured in six matches across all competitions, making three starts.
While Ndlovu is capable of playing as a playmaker or on either wing, Cardoso says the player was clear about his preferred position when he arrived at the club.
“When Siyanda arrived at Sundowns, and when any player arrives at Sundowns, I usually put the structures that we use more in front of them and I ask them from one to the number you feel that you have to tell me which is your favourite position,” Cardoso said, as quoted by iDiski Times.
“On Siyanda, it was very clear, my favourite position is the right. Of course, I know he can play inside, left and right.”
Cardoso, however, warned that Ndlovu’s preferred position will not always determine where he plays, as the team’s needs will ultimately influence his deployment.
“He can play basically, he just doesn’t want to play on the left, but I don’t know if it will happen on the left because this is not what you want, it’s what we need,” he added.
The Portuguese coach has also been impressed by Ndlovu’s consistency since his move to the reigning African champions.
Rather than expecting the youngster to produce spectacular moments in every game, Cardoso believes Ndlovu’s ability to consistently contribute under pressure is a more encouraging sign.
“You don’t see extraordinary things, but you see consistency,” Cardoso explained.
“In the last two matches, you see consistency and that is a high-level player. Let’s hope he can continue because then the games will give him the opportunity to make those things naturally without the pressure to have to do it.”
Cardoso also pointed to Ndlovu’s cameo against Kaizer Chiefs as an example of why players need to adapt when moving from the bench into the starting XI.
The coach explained that substitutes often find more space late in games, meaning starting a match requires a different approach.
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Ndlovu’s arrival at Sundowns has also come with an interesting twist. The attacker recently revealed on SABC radio that he initially expected to join Orlando Pirates after leaving Arrows.
According to Ndlovu, he travelled to Johannesburg intending to complete a move to the Buccaneers, but the process dragged on for several days before he was instructed by Arrows to report to Sundowns.
The move has so far worked out positively, with Ndlovu already making six appearances for the African champions.