Mamelodi Sundowns’ Miguel Cardoso has explained the delay in new signing Keanu Cupido’s debut for the club.
Cupido joined Sundowns in January from Cape Town City in a deal worth approximately R12 million. However, since making the move to the Pretoria giants, the defender has yet to feature in full a match for the Brazilians.
Cardoso clarified that Cupido’s first appearance was contingent on the team’s need to give certain players match minutes. This came during a Nedbank Cup last-16 clash against Mpheni Home Defenders, a side from the ABC Motsepe League, held at Lucas Masterpieces Moripe Stadium.
The former FC Porto coach added that the 27-year-old defender had been signed while recovering from an injury, which was the primary reason for his absence from the matchday squad.
“When (Keanu) Cupido arrived at Sundowns he was injured but we worked very well with him,” Cardoso said.
“We knew (that he is injured) everything was clear, but we knew we had to hold a little bit until he could perform and stills, he’s 100% (fit).”
Despite Keanu Cupido not being fully fit, coach Miguel Cardoso was pleased with the defender’s performance during his 14-minute cameo against Mpheni Home Defenders.
The Portuguese-born coach believes Cupido will be a valuable asset to the team, highlighting that the center-back’s versatility – including his ability to play in midfield – will be crucial for the squad moving forward.
“What I saw (in him against Mpheni) I liked it because I know what we type of a player he is,” Cardoso said.
“He’s a player that can help us playing as a midfielder, he can help playing as a center back.
“It’s curious because one of the talks with him was exactly in the line of three or in a five line of defender line where he feels more comfortable to play.
“He told me he can play left and right but, in the center, he feels very good. So, he played in the center (against Mpheni) he gave us stability to the team.
“He was very calm player in the pitch, he doesn’t have any stress to have the ball on his feet.
“He can hold (the ball) to attract a striker or forward and then give it to in the lines and I like players like that, when they the ball they don’t stress because for me stress is when the opponent has the ball not when we have the ball.”
