Mamelodi Sundowns head coach Miguel Cardoso has praised the quick adaptation of striker Brayan Leon following his arrival at the club.
The Colombian forward joined Masandawana during the January transfer window in a deal worth $3.2 million (approximately R58 million) from Independiente Medellín.
Since making the move to South Africa, he has quickly established himself as a key figure in the Brazilians’ attack, scoring six goals in seven matches across all competitions.
Leon has already registered two braces in quick succession — the first in the CAF Champions League clash against MC Alger this past weekend, and the second against Orlando Pirates in a Betway Premiership encounter on Wednesday.
His clinical finishing and intelligent movement have added a new dimension to Sundowns’ frontline.
Cardoso attributed Leon’s seamless transition to the warm reception he has received from the squad. He also highlighted the smooth integration of fellow newcomers Nuno Santos and Miguel Reisinho, noting that the club’s positive environment has played a crucial role in helping them settle quickly.
The Portuguese mentor went on to commend Leon’s energy, work rate, and overall quality, emphasising that the striker continues to impress with each performance.
“Look, the adaptation of Brayan [Leon], Nuno [Santos], Miguel [Reisinho] the players that arrived for us this season, have been very good because of the group we have, the club we have, the work we do together, in order obviously to make them get as quick as possible identified with the way we want to play,” said Cardoso.
“And also the boys that were here already to absorb the characteristics of the players that arrived. There needs to be a fusion between the characteristics of the players that arrived and the way we play. That’s what we’ve been doing.
“Obviously that scoring goals from him [Leon] gives him energy. He scored goals in the first friendly match that he played when we were in the preparation.
“Immediately he scored one goal. But look, if it’s not Brayan, it will be Peter [Shalulile], if it’s not Peter, it will be Iqraam [Rayners]. If it’s not Iqraam, it will be Lebo [Mothiba]. And we still trusts on Bennett [Mokoena] that plays now mostly on Diski [Challenge].
“Obviously that we also, coaches, we depend on the players. We depend so much on the players. We just need to provide them conditions to play, to play good, emotional satisfaction, well-being. I think they were very well welcomed.
“And himself [Leon], of course, gives acceptance in a group when the player shows quality, and that doubles the energy towards himself.
“In the last match, I don’t know even if that dance came from him, but seeing him dance together with the same choreography of the players made me at home after match understand that he’s already inside of the dynamics of the team. That really, when I saw that, I said, mhmmmm, interesting.
“So, it means that they work on the locker room also by themselves, to be together.”