The bald-headed Miguel Cardoso has endured a ton of criticism since his appointment as Mamelodi Sundowns’ new head coach late last year.

The bout of criticism is drawn from the fact that he’s struggled in his previous jobs, with his only triumph winning the title with Esperance last season.

The naysayers added that that was not due to his own doing as he started coaching the team halfway through the season.

His half-stint with the club also saw him reach the semi-final of the Caf Champions League where they eliminated his current employers 2-0 on aggregate.

That few has added to criticism, with some believing that he was hired on the basis that ‘if he beats you, then hire him’.

The Argentine has done decently to try and shut up his detractors, winning three games on the trot in the Betway Premiership before winning two and losing one in the Caf Champions League.

He was duly rewarded for his exploits in the league, winning the November/December Coach of the Month award in just his first month in local football.

His spell in Africa is cause for concern though; Sundowns are second in Group B with eight points, one behind log leaders AS FAR Rabat who’ll visit them in the last group stage match tomorrow.

A point against the Moroccan giants would be enough to save Cardoso from an embarrassing group stage exit as it’d propel the side to the knockout stage.

Defender Zuko Mdunyelwa believes that Cardoso is the right man for the Sundowns’ head coaching role, and his tactics will come in handy in Africa.

“I can’t comment much on (the previous) coaches. But the coach we have is a very, very good coach and we are learning new things under him,” Mdunyelwa explained.

“I hope the things he's implementing will help us in each competition we are involved in, especially in the Champions League. We want to win every competition we are competing in.”

Sure, Sundowns’ continental fate will be decided today at 6pm, but they have their fate in their own hands in the league as they lead the pile with 30 points.

“Winning the league is the culture (of the club). We want to win the league every season,” said Mdunyelwa amid Sundowns’ unprecedented seven-year dominance in the land.

Mdunyelwa wants to play a significant role in Sundowns’ pursuit for a second continental crown, and eighth league title in succession.

And having been in the fringes this season, starting under former coach Manqoba Mngqithi, he believes the arrival of Cardoso gives all the forgotten players a second bite of the cherry.

“It (when a new coach comes in and you are a fringe player) puts you in a position where you have to learn and take your time to learn everything,” he said.

“This will help you so that when your opportunity comes, you are well-equipped to play and contribute to the team.”

Mdunyelwa isn’t short of ways to improve his game. He’s learning a lot from Khuliso Mudau who’s the No 1 right back in the country, and one of the best in Africa.

“There's a lot that I am learning from Mudau. It's a privilege to learn from him,” Mdunyelwa said of Mudau’s impact on his game.

“I really love the fact that I am under his wing because he teaches me a lot of things about the game on and off the pitch, and what helps me prepare better.”