Will Khuliso Mudau be converted to a permanent Mamelodi Sundowns centre-back after playing in that role against Orlando Pirates? - Cardoso responds

Lucas Suarez struggled in central defence as Mamelodi Sundowns were beaten 2-1 by Orlando Pirates at FNB Stadium on Sunday.

Despite the majority of Masandawana's players struggling on a slippery FNB pitch, it was the Argentine who made errors that led to quick Pirates goals by Relebohile Mofokeng.

Suarez was then taken off in the 69th minute and Khuliso Mudau was pushed to an unfamiliar centre-back role and coach Miguel Cardoso explains his decision.

“The thinking was that [Pirates] coach [Jose] Riveiro was making substitutions to have a freshness to deal with these quick attacks,” Cardoso told journalists as per FARPost.

“[We needed a] quick player at the back that also can play with quality. We needed two things: a player that could play with quality. So, build up with quality and also a player with speed. 

“And with one substitution, we could get both things. I also wanted more freshness on the flank.” 

After Mudau was switched from the right-back role, Masandawana appeared stabilised at the heart of the defence and prevented the Soweto giants from increasing their lead.

It was also after Mudau had pulled a goal back for Masandawana to give them hopes of a comeback.

Interestingly, Cardoso opted to have Mudau in central defence while Malibongwe Khoza was an unused substitute.

Cardoso's decision might have given Bafana Bafana coach Hugo Broos an idea about how to use Mudau in the event of a crisis.

This comes as Bafana are getting into camp to prepare for the upcoming 2026 Fifa World Cup qualifiers against Lesotho and Benin.