Mamelodi Sundowns head coach Miguel Cardoso has opened up about the arrival of highly rated midfielder Lazola Maku, urging patience and insisting the teenager will not be rushed into the starting XI after completing his free transfer to the Tshwane giants.

Maku penned a deal with Sundowns after leaving Siwelele FC at the end of the 2025/26 Betway Premiership season.

The South African youth international joins a long list of players who have signed with Sundowns in recent months as the club builds a competitive squad for the 2026/27 campaign.

In previous transfer windows, Sundowns brought in players such as Antonio Van Wyk, Thabo Cele, Thabang Matuludi, Deano Van Rooyen, Cassius Mailula, Siyanda Ndlovu, and Wandile Dube, before recently adding Maku to the roster.

The Brazilians have taken a robust approach to the transfer market as they look to defend their CAF Champions League crown and reclaim the Betway Premiership title from rivals Orlando Pirates.

In a move that further bolsters their midfield, the Chloorkop-based outfit announced Maku’s arrival on Tuesday. The South African Under-20 AFCON-winning star joins a galaxy of stars in the engine room, including Teboho Mokoena, Bathusi Aubaas, Thabo Cele, Sphelele Mkhulise, and Gomolemo Kekana.

MIGUEL CARDOSO CALLS FOR PATIENCE ON LAZOLA MAKU

Reflecting on the signing of the 19-year-old, Cardoso emphasised that Maku will require time to settle into life at Chloorkop, urging both the media and supporters to resist pressuring the technical team into rushing the starlet into the starting lineup.

“It’s not easy for a player to arrive at Sundowns and play automatically. Unfortunately, I’m going to speak about a name that makes me emotional; even Jayden [Adams] had difficulty imposing himself at Sundowns as soon as he arrived,” Cardoso said.

“So don’t put the pressure on the boy; let him settle. He just arrived, and he felt comfortable among us, but there’s a lot of competition. Don’t put pressure on him and us.

“It doesn’t mean that we don’t trust or recognise his quality; we do, but let the boy have the time to settle, feel comfortable and understand what we need from him. Also, there are a lot of players in his place, and his chance to play will come from the fight he puts in at training.”

Maku came through the Ubuntu Cape Town Academy before joining the now-defunct SuperSport United in 2023. He made a name for himself in the DStv Diski Challenge while earning his stripes in the South African junior national ranks.

The box-to-box midfielder will now look to secure regular playing time at Sundowns under Cardoso as the club competes for domestic trophies and continental glory.