Khulumani Ndamane growing in confidence at Mamelodi Sundowns ahead of Orlando Pirates showdown

Towering at around 1.83m, Khulumani Ndamane has a better aerial view than most of his Mamelodi Sundowns’ teammates and their opposition on the pitch. 

This is a characteristic that has stood him in good stead as he’s able to read the game well from a distance – and compose himself when he has to make well-timed tackles and help his team with their defensive organisation.

Ndamane has impressed in that regard, so much so that he finds himself playing for one of the biggest clubs in the country in Sundowns, following a professional breakthrough at TS Galaxy after leaving Kaizer Chiefs’ reserve team a few seasons ago.

Ndamane joined Sundowns last month, and has faced stiff competition from the sidelined Mthobi Mvala, the recently recovered Malibongwe Khoza, Keagan Johannes, and Keanu Cupido — just to name a few of his direct competitors.

But he hasn’t just made up the numbers. He’s fully part and parcel of the team’s plans to challenge for a treble: the CAF Champions League, Betway Premiership, and Nedbank Cup. He recently revealed how he instantly became an integral part of the team.

“When I left TS Galaxy, I didn’t tell myself that I would come here and relax,” Ndamane said.

“I knew that there were players who were already ahead of me and full of quality. So, for me, it was only to continue working hard and let the rest take care of itself.”

After a sluggish start in defence during Sundowns’ 2-0 win over MC Alger in their last group stage match on Saturday, which sealed a quarter-final berth, Ndamane credited the guidance of defensive partner Grant Kekana for helping him to regain his confidence.

As such, the duo is expected to form yet another rock-solid, defensive partnership and help keep a clean sheet when Sundowns visit Orlando Pirates in a Premiership top-of-the-table clash at FNB Stadium on Wednesday (7pm kick-off). This is a match that Sundowns need to win at all costs so as to trim the gap to three points behind the Sea Robbers on the log in the second half of their league campaign.

Ndamane, meanwhile, has explained how, despite his superior view of the game, he continues to humble himself and learn from someone like Kekana, who’s been in the game for some time.

“Grant is a very relaxed guy,” Ndamane said. “So, playing with him has also relaxed me.

"We help each other a lot. When he has gone to mark, I need to keep the balance. So, I think the communication between us has been helpful a lot.”

Kekana hasn't been Ndamane’s only advisor. The 22-year-old defender is slowly but surely understanding the demands of coach Miguel Cardoso, which is why he’s been able to help the team with their overall performances.

“I have been focusing on the gameplan that I have been getting from the coach and working hand in hand with my teammates,” Ndamane said. “So, I think that’s really helping us a lot to get the results that we desired.”

Granted, Ndamane is enjoying his best start to life at Sundowns, but he reckons that there’s still ample room for improvement.

“Everything has been going for me so far, even though I can’t say that I have fitted like a glove in the team,” Ndamane said. “I believe that things will eventually get better with time as well."

Should Ndamane continue to read and analyse the game, and help Sundowns to a win over Pirates at the Calabash, he will significantly boost his chances of earning another Bafana Bafana call-up ahead of next month’s Fifa window, which will serve as preparation for the upcoming World Cup in June.

After all, his aerial ability is already putting him in good stead.

*Mihlali Baleka is Independent Media's senior football reporter and a panelist on the group's soccer podcast, The D-Line, which is exclusive on our YouTube channel The Clutch