Kyle Timm Explains Tsiki Ntsabeleng’s Slow Start at Mamelodi Sundowns

After months of waiting to make his mark at Mamelodi Sundowns, midfielder Tsiki Ntsabeleng finally earned his first start of the season in the 1-0 victory over TS Galaxy. The 27-year-old, currently on loan from Major League Soccer side FC Dallas, has faced a slow integration into the Sundowns setup. USA-based coach Kyle Timm has now shed light on why the former FC Dallas man took time to adapt.

Timm, who serves as associate head coach at the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley, believes Ntsabeleng’s delayed impact is part of a broader adjustment challenge faced by South African players returning from overseas.

“From my experience and conversations with players who came back home after playing abroad, there’s always an adjustment period,” Timm told Soccer Laduma. “The South African game is very different. Outside the country, whether in Europe or the United States, the football is far more tactical and structured. Players are expected to follow clear tactical instructions. In South Africa, there’s more freedom, more unpredictability. That makes it harder for players used to rigid systems to settle quickly.”

Timm highlighted how this unpredictability can complicate decision-making for returning players. “In the US or Europe, when you talk tactics, players know exactly what picture to expect in front of them. In South Africa, that picture changes all the time. It keeps you guessing.”

He used the example of Sundowns star Themba Zwane to illustrate his point. “If I ask what position Zwane plays, what would you say? He has a free role, roaming across the pitch. That’s rare in global football, but it works for Sundowns. Still, it’s tough for someone unfamiliar with that freedom to fit in immediately.”

Timm also compared the style of play in the United States to that of the Premier Soccer League (PSL). “In the US, the game is very structured, often two-touch football. In South Africa, a player can beat you with skill and flair. You press, and they’re gone. It’s unpredictable, and at times it feels faster. The PSL is not easy.”

Ntsabeleng’s journey reflects the adaptation hurdles many players face when transitioning between football cultures. His technical ability and work rate have never been in question, but adapting to Sundowns’ fluid, possession-based system takes time.

As the season progresses, Sundowns fans will be eager to see whether Ntsabeleng can translate his overseas experience into consistent performances. For Timm, patience is key. “It’s a readjustment,” he said. “The PSL demands something different, and Tsiki will find his rhythm with time.” With his first start now behind him, Ntsabeleng’s next challenge is to build momentum and cement his place in one of Africa’s most competitive teams.