Cardoso: Why Sundowns fan favourite is not playing

Mamelodi Sundowns supporters have been wondering why Neo Maema has not been playing. Here’s an update from coach Miguel Cardoso.

WHY NEO MAEMA IS NOT PLAYING FOR MAMELODI SUNDOWNS

Maema’s last start for Kabo Yellow was back in December 2024. According to coach Cardoso, the 29-year-old did not fully grab his chance on the field.

“What I have to say regarding the players is that it’s very important when you have an opportunity [to play] at Sundowns, they grab it with both hands,” the Sundowns mentor said via FARPost. “There are many players, and when you miss an opportunity, someone will grab it, and it’s quite difficult to go back on the rhythm.

“What’s happening with Neo? He has qualities, and we believe in him so much. I just want to remind you that when I arrived in the first match, Neo was in the first 11 when we played Raja Casablanca. So he’s a player that we trust among the other ones. He’s a player I’ve been speaking to a lot because I know he has the quality, and in the last period, he hasn’t been playing so much, and obviously, that doesn’t make him happy, but I’m so happy he had a good performance with the national team.

The Sundowns mentor concluded: “I think it was positive for him because we will profit from that energy and the excitement. It’s not a problem of quality with Neo, he has a lot of quality, it’s just a matter of expressing it on a regular basis.”

In the meantime, the champions will visit Orlando Pirates on Sunday at the Orlando Stadium at 15:30.

CAN NEO MAEMA BOUNCE BACK TO BECOME A KEY PLAYER FOR THE CLUB?

Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1Subscribe to The South African website’s newsletters and follow us on WhatsAppFacebookX and Bluesky for the latest news.

About admin