Miguel Cardoso gives report on Mamelodi Sundowns new signings

The Brazilians signed Basadien from Stellenbosch FC, but he has made only six appearances since his arrival at the start of the season.  

Cardoso admitted the left-back is struggling with competition in his position, with it proving difficult for him to displace Aubrey Modiba. 

"Fawaaz is obviously – and I want you to understand the word I'm about to use – struggling with the competition, he's not struggling [alone], all of them are struggling because there's a lot of competition in the position," said Cardoso.

"[Asekho] Tiwani is also struggling, Thato Sibiya is also struggling, and Divine Lunga is also struggling, and Aubrey is at a very good level at the moment – let's hope he can continue.

"But we never know, so Fawaaz's situation is more difficult because of the level of competition that's in that position."

READ: Cardoso reacts to Sundowns CL group stage qualification

On the other hand, the Portuguese tactician says attacker Ntsabeleng, on loan from FC Dallas in the USA, is closer to the level required.  

"Tsiki arrived not in the best place, but we've seen him develop and I was even thinking that he would be used [against Remo Stars], but we had to manage the substitutions," he added.

"I wanted him to play and I really had a plan to put him in because I think he deserved, he grew a lot in the last two or three weeks by approaching the understanding of the football we want to play, the positioning and the tasks of the position he plays in.

"He played very well the minutes he had in the first leg, and he trained very well through the last two weeks, so I think that he's making steps towards what we want from him."

On the Portuguese duo, Cardoso admitted Reisinho's red card on debut against Marumo Gallants earlier this month affected his progress, while Santos' adaptability has aided his own integration into the squad, with four appearances in the last five matches.