Ntandoyenkosi Nkosi Urged to Stay Patient as He Awaits His Sundowns Break

Mamelodi Sundowns’ rising talent, Ntandoyenkosi Nkosi, has been encouraged to keep his head up as he waits for his opportunity in the first team. Despite consistently proving his worth in the DStv Diski Challenge, the young midfielder is yet to feature under coach Danilo Cardoso since the Portuguese tactician took charge in December 2024.

Nkosi’s Challenge in a Star-Studded Squad

Nkosi has previously made seven senior team appearances, but with Sundowns boasting some of the best midfielders in the country, breaking into the starting XI has proven to be a tough task. The 20-year-old is currently competing for a spot with established Bafana Bafana internationals Teboho Mokoena and Bathusi Aubaas—two players who have been instrumental in the club’s recent success.

Despite the stiff competition, Cardoso has expressed confidence in Nkosi’s abilities and emphasized the need for patience in his development.

Cardoso’s Message of Support

Speaking about the young midfielder, Cardoso was full of praise and hinted at a potential senior team call-up in the near future.

“I will speak about Ntando because he deserves it,” Cardoso said.

“I say so because he is honest, humble, and a quality player. If I would show you the message I received regarding his performance in a friendly match under my assistant coach Pedro (Azevedo), you would have the answer to that question.

“He told me that we have to give a chance to this boy.”

Cardoso acknowledged the difficulties Nkosi faces due to the presence of seasoned internationals but assured that the youngster’s time would come.

“It is important to understand who this boy has in his position—two international players, one is called Teboho Mokoena and the other one Bathusi Aubaas. It is not easy for him to overcome that difficulty.

“I would like so much that we could finish the championship in a way that he can prove himself in front of everyone in a PSL match because he has the level to play in a PSL match, no doubt.

“I totally agree that we should provide him in the future with an environment that allows him to continue his process of development.”

Building a Strong Mentality

Cardoso also highlighted the mental aspect of Nkosi’s growth, emphasizing that dealing with emotions and learning from past mistakes is a crucial part of development.

“In the Diski Challenge, they have some interesting games, and we have been watching them. I saw them live,” he added.

“The growth of a player also comes with dealing with emotions. Ntando already made some mistakes regarding that, but the fact that he made those mistakes and we worked on them is a way of growing for him to be at the level that he needs to be in the future.

“Let’s see what will be the next stage towards his development.”

What’s Next for Nkosi?

With Sundowns still competing on multiple fronts, Nkosi’s chance to break into the first team could come sooner rather than later. If given the opportunity, the young midfielder will need to seize the moment and prove that he belongs at the highest level.

For now, he remains patient, knowing that his hard work and dedication will eventually pay off in a team that demands excellence.