Cardoso: People Look At Africa Like It’s Cheap
Mamelodi Sundowns coach Miguel Cardoso has leapt to the club’s defence over their “hardball” reputation, insisting that letting players leave is easier said than done.
Sundowns have recently concluded two deals for players to make moves to Europe, with Thapelo Maseko joining Copenhagen in Denmark, while young Thato Sibiya is set for a season on loan to French Ligue 1 outfit Lille SC.
Maseko’s deal, it’s understood, was not something that happened overnight. A few things had to be considered, from Sundowns’ side, before they finally agreed to let him join the Danish giants. Cardoso revealed that Sundowns also have to think about themselves before selling some of their talent to clubs in Europe.
The Portuguese coach further stated that clubs abroad often tend to think that shopping in Africa is cheap, but Sundowns will not always accept any offer for their players, especially if it doesn’t match their valuation of their stars.
“It’s a conflict that we have to attend to and a position we have to understand. Obviously, the club cannot allow all the players to go because they want to try something; otherwise, how do we build our team?
“We need to understand who is the player, the moment the player has an opportunity and if that moment is coincides with the moment of the club. Otherwise, it would be difficult to allow Maseko to go,” Cardoso told the media.
“For example, having a chance to bring Siyanda opens more possibilities for Maseko to go. If we could not clinch that deal, how could we release with an open heart for Maseko to go? Sometimes it’s a matter of whether it’s possible.
“In the end, we have to think about ourselves so that we can still produce the results we want, and also how much value the clubs are allowing themselves to give for our players, because we cannot give players by any price. You know that people look at Africa like it’s cheap, so let’s go there, and it’s not like that because what is cheap for some is very expensive for others, and for us, a player who goes away is a product. So, it’s not that simple to let (a player) go.”
Kutlwano Letlhaku, the junior international, has also attracted interest from abroad, and a move has not been completely ruled out for him.
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