Mamelodi Sundowns have nurtured a gem in Malibongwe Khoza, a 20-year-old defender who has made significant strides from the club’s youth ranks to the first team.
Khoza, who joined Sundowns at the tender age of 12, has been a standout in the DStv Diski Challenge before securing his spot in the senior squad.
Despite rumors of his departure at the end of last season, Khoza was retained and impressed during the pre-season tour in Europe. This season, he has made 11 appearances, forming a notable partnership with Rushine de Reuck in the last two matches under head coach Miguel Cardoso.
Cardoso has been vocal about the academy’s role in Khoza’s development, stating, “Regarding Khoza and players of Sundowns, obviously I have to praise the work done in the academy that brought him up and all the coaches who worked with him, coach Manqoba that put him in the (first-team).”
He emphasized the importance of teamwork in defensive roles, adding, “In a good organisation, defenders become better, and defensive work is the work of 11 men, not four, not one, so I’m happy with the work we have been doing together with Mali but also the other ones.”
The coach also highlighted the benefits of having a deep squad, which has proven advantageous with the injuries to key defenders Mothobi Mvala and Grant Kekana. “This is a player who wasn’t playing for some time, so it’s a reason why… people say and it’s correct that we have a squad that is big. Sometimes difficult to manage and work with,” Cardoso said, referring to de Reuck’s resurgence.
“But it also helps when we miss important players [through injury] but life is like this, football is like this, it gives opportunities at any moment and it’s important that players take that responsibility in hands and get value for themselves because it’s also value for Sundowns.”
Khoza’s performances have not gone unnoticed, with former coach Manqoba Mngqithi previously suggesting he could be in line for a national team call-up before Mngqithi’s departure this month.