Miguel Cardoso Backs Lebo Mothiba After Difficult Mamelodi Sundowns Start

Lebo Mothiba has endured a difficult beginning to life at Mamelodi Sundowns, but the striker continues to have the full backing of head coach Miguel Cardoso. The forward was given his first start of the season when Sundowns faced Golden Arrows in the first leg of their MTN8 semifinal at Lucas Moripe Stadium on Sunday. Mothiba started ahead of Brayan Leon, who was named among the substitutes, as Cardoso rotated his attacking options during a demanding run of fixtures. The opportunity gave the former Strasbourg striker a chance to make a stronger impression, but his afternoon proved frustrating after he missed a clear opportunity in the first half. Despite the setback, Cardoso has made it clear that he continues to believe in Mothiba and understands the challenges faced by a striker who has not enjoyed regular playing time.

Mothiba had a golden opportunity to put Mamelodi Sundowns ahead when he found himself one-on-one with Golden Arrows goalkeeper Edward Maova. The chance came during a period when Sundowns were controlling the match and putting their opponents under considerable pressure. However, Maova reacted quickly and bravely to deny Mothiba from close range, preventing the Sundowns striker from opening the scoring. The miss drew frustration from sections of the home crowd, with some supporters calling for the forward to be substituted. Mothiba’s failure to convert the opportunity added to the scrutiny surrounding him, particularly because he has struggled to establish himself as a regular starter since joining the club.

Since arriving at Sundowns towards the end of the 2024/25 campaign, Mothiba has scored only two goals for the club. One of those goals came at the FIFA World Cup, while the other was scored during the 2025/26 season. He made 17 appearances across all competitions during that campaign, but has not yet produced the scoring numbers that many expected from a striker with his experience. His limited opportunities have made it difficult for him to build consistency and develop rhythm within the Sundowns attack. Cardoso believes that the lack of regular starts is an important factor when assessing Mothiba’s performances rather than simply judging him on individual missed chances.

Cardoso has stressed that supporting his players is an important part of his role as a coach. After the match against Arrows, the Portuguese coach acknowledged that Mothiba had experienced a difficult moment when he failed to convert his opportunity. However, Cardoso also pointed out that Sundowns had several other chances during the match that were not converted, meaning the striker should not carry the responsibility for the team’s failure to score. His comments showed that he does not intend to single out Mothiba for criticism after one missed opportunity. Instead, he wants the striker to understand that mistakes happen during matches and that confidence can be crucial when a forward is trying to regain his form.

Cardoso also recalled Lucas Ribeiro’s experience at a time when the Brazilian forward was struggling to score regularly. The media had questioned Ribeiro’s inability to find the net, but Cardoso remained convinced that the goals would eventually arrive. His prediction proved correct when Ribeiro began scoring consistently and became an important attacking player for Sundowns. Cardoso appears to see similarities in Mothiba’s situation, particularly because strikers can go through periods when chances do not result in goals. The coach’s willingness to continue supporting the striker could therefore play an important role in helping Mothiba regain confidence.

Another factor working against Mothiba has been the competition for places in the Sundowns attack. Brayan Leon and Iqraam Rayners have been preferred as the first-choice attacking options, meaning Mothiba has had to wait for opportunities. Cardoso explained that it is difficult for any player to immediately find rhythm when they are not playing consistently. A striker needs regular minutes to develop an understanding with teammates and to build confidence in front of goal. Mothiba’s limited opportunities have therefore made his task more difficult, particularly when he is expected to make an immediate impact whenever he enters the starting lineup.

Cardoso nevertheless believes Mothiba has shown character during a challenging period. The coach revealed that the striker has been performing well during training matches and has been scoring in those sessions, which suggests that his finishing ability remains intact. Training performances cannot always be translated directly into competitive matches, but they can provide important evidence of a player’s confidence and readiness. Mothiba’s ability to continue working hard despite limited opportunities appears to have impressed the Sundowns technical team. Cardoso’s comments indicate that the club values that attitude and believes the striker can still make a meaningful contribution.

The decision to start Mothiba against Golden Arrows was also influenced by the physical condition of Brayan Leon. Cardoso explained that Leon had not been able to train consistently during pre-season before Sundowns began playing a demanding schedule. The team had already played three matches in a short period, leaving the forward fatigued and not operating at the freshness the coaching staff wanted. Rotating the attacking options therefore became necessary rather than being a direct indication that Mothiba had suddenly moved ahead of Leon in the pecking order. Cardoso’s explanation provides useful context for why Mothiba was given the starting opportunity and shows that squad management played a major role in the decision.

Mothiba’s immediate prospects of starting again appear limited, with Sundowns expected to face AmaZulu in the Betway Premiership at Loftus Stadium on Wednesday. Cardoso may choose to rotate his attacking players again depending on fitness levels and the demands of the schedule. Even if Mothiba does not start, his performance against Arrows could still contribute to his long-term chances of receiving more minutes. The striker needs to continue working in training and take advantage of every opportunity that comes his way. A goal or strong performance could quickly change the conversation around his form and give him the confidence required to compete more strongly for a regular place.

For now, Mothiba’s situation remains one of patience and persistence. His statistics at Mamelodi Sundowns have not yet matched expectations, but Cardoso has refused to write him off after a difficult start. The coach understands that a striker who receives limited opportunities can struggle to develop rhythm, while confidence can also suffer when every missed chance attracts increased attention. By continuing to support Mothiba, Cardoso is giving the forward the best possible environment to recover his confidence and demonstrate why Sundowns signed him. Whether that backing eventually translates into regular goals remains to be seen, but the message from the coach is clear: Mothiba still has an important role to play, and his opportunity to change his fortunes could arrive with consistent preparation and patience.