NELSPRUIT, SOUTH AFRICA – FEBRUARY 11: Lucas Suarez of Mamelodi Sundowns during the Betway Premiership match between TS Galaxy and Mamelodi Sundowns at Mbombela Stadium on February 11, 2025 in Nelspruit, South Africa. (Photo by Dirk Kotze/Gallo Images)
Mamelodi Sundowns coach Miguel Cardoso has given his assessment of January transfer window signing Lucas Suarez, revealing the one thing the defender has struggled with in South African football.
Suarez has made a fairly good start to life with the reigning champions and recently opened his account for the club, netting in the 4-2 victory over Sekhukhune United earlier this week.
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The Argentinean is on loan until the end of the season and word reaching the Siya crew is that they are open to keeping him, especially with the FIFA Club World Cup coming up later this year.
“Regarding Lucas, it’s not easy for me to juggle in terms of centre-backs. We have options of course and Lucas has been doing quite well. It’s not easy the style of game because it’s not exactly the same as South America or Argentina (to be specific). Too many long balls to cope with, so too many running back. I think he is coping with it, but struggling and we need to manage him in the right way for him to always be available for us,” Cardoso told media earlier this week after their victory over Sekhukhune.
Cardoso, who has made six appearances for the Tshwane giants since arriving, is likely to start when they take on Soweto giants Kaizer Chiefs at Lucas Moripe Stadium on Saturday.
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Sundowns, meanwhile, will be without Denis Onyango and Aubrey Modiba due to suspension, while Ronwen Williams is said to still be out with an injury.
The Tshwane giants, however, will be delighted that Khuliso Mudau has returned from injury and there’s a good chance that he will get more minutes after playing against Sekhukhune as a second half substitute.
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