“It felt like a dream,” reflects Daniel Cardoso on his official debut wearing Kaizer Chiefs’ Gold and Black jersey against SuperSport United on Saturday evening.

The defender’s last competitive match came in May 2015 when still with Free State Stars.

Cardoso joined Amakhosi during the off-season, but a shin bone injury held him on the sidelines for most of the first half of the season. Thereafter, when fit again, it was about waiting for an opportunity.

The 27-year-old, however, did recently play a few games for Chiefs’ reserve side in the MultiChoice Diski Challenge, performing well.

The defender came on for Siboniso Gaxa, slotting in at right-back, during the second half of the Matsatsantsa encounter.

It was Cardoso’s long throw in that resulted in William Twala’s match winning goal in the 89th minute.

“I am happy to be back playing first team soccer,” he adds, “I am looking forward to contribute to the team. It was not easy to watch from the stands to see the side play.”

Amakhosi host tonight Polokwane City in an Absa Premiership fixture at the FNB Stadium on Tuesday evening, 23 February (kick-off is at 19:30).

The two sides have met each other in five league matches since the 2013/14 season. Chiefs boast an unbeaten record with three wins and two draws against the Limpopo Province based side.

“They have good attacking flair and transitional play,” Cardoso analyses tonight’s opponents. “However, their defence is not one of the best. We just have to give it our all, as we are pushing to win every fixture.”

Cardoso will be looking at Steve Komphela to be called upon when the coach decides on his match day squad and, accordingly, his starting line-up for the Polokwane clash.

The medical team, meanwhile, has confirmed that Kgotso Moleko and Edward Manqele are out due injury and will not be available for selection, while Siyanda Xulu is still recovering from his head injury sustained in the match against Maritzburg United on 6 February.

Tickets for the Polokwane City fixture cost R40 and can be bought at Computicket and Shoprite/Checkers outlets nationwide. Tickets for children under the age of 12 are sold at R10 (as long as stock lasts).