Miguel Cardoso puts doubts to bed over record-breaker Peter Shalulile

The Namibian international struck the winner in The Brazilians' 1-0 win over Stellenbosch FC on Saturday to take his tally to 130 goals, surpassing Siyabonga Nomvethe’s long-standing record.

Shalulile had previously been linked with a move away from Chloorkop ahead of the season, but no concrete offers were fielded to the club, with the coach making it clear after the historic goal that the 31-year-old remains central to Sundowns’ plans for the season.

"Peter doesn't struggle or anything with us – he is a very important player for the club, a very important player for the coach and a very important player for everybody," said Cardoso.

"We should just remember that we also have other number nines in the team – Lebo Mothiba, who is an international player coming back and a very good player that was playing at the best teams in France, as you know.

"[Mothiba is] not quite on the level to play in the first XI or start the match, but also coming, and Iqraam Rayners, who was not the top scorer last year but was second by, I think, one goal – behind Lucas Ribeiro, and he didn't take most of the penalties."

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The Portuguese mentor explained that Shalulile’s recent appearances from the bench were due to the squad’s depth and the need for rotation. 

"The competition is very tough; it's not a problem of Pete, but that we need to manage the players, and Peter played [against] Magesi – goal; he played today, goal," noted Cardoso.

"So, if he plays, it's because I trust [him], there's not one single player that lines up on Mamelodi Sundowns that we don't trust, but also there's not a single player in the squad that we don't trust, otherwise he would not be here.

"And it's important that people understand that the team is supporting Peter, and supporting Peter [means to] support the team."