Miguel Cardoso: Mamelodi Sundowns played beautifully at Fifa Club World Cup

Despite their early exit from the Fifa Club World Cup, Mamelodi Sundowns coach Miguel Cardoso said it was “absolutely marvellous” to witness his players perform at the highest level against Brazilian giants Fluminense.

Sundowns shocked everyone by holding the highly fancied Fluminense to a goalless draw in Wednesday’s Club World Cup Group F clash at the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami.

This outcome meant that Sundowns’ ambitious stint at the Club World Cup came to an end, as the South African champions needed a victory to advance past the group stage.

After the match, Cardoso reflected on the experience of his players competing against such esteemed opposition.

He expressed pride in his team’s performance in challenging match conditions.

“Everybody had the chance to watch 22 players playing at the highest level. It was easy to understand the level at which my players played. That was something absolutely marvellous to see,” said Cardoso.

“Some teams came here and took nothing, but Mamelodi Sundowns leave with a lot – we took four points, we lost just one game and we drew one game in which it was clear we had the best chances.

“For those who don’t know international football so well, I invite them to go and study Fluminense, Dortmund and Ulsan a little, and understand the level Sundowns played at during this Club World Cup.

“When we go out but set such a huge platform, you don’t go through, but you take a lot: you take prestige, you value your players, you make your club even more well-known in the world.”

Reflecting on his tenure at the club over the months prior, the Portuguese mentor highlighted significant achievements, including an impressive league title win that set records, albeit falling short of the CAF Champions League title after a decade-long absence from the final.

“We didn’t win the Champions League, but we were back for the first time in the final in 10 years (which they lost to Egyptian club Pyramids FC),” he said.

“We will be strong going back there; those matches in the final, we were not at the level we needed to be.”

Cardoso remained optimistic about the journey ahead, asserting that the groundwork laid during this tournament will eventually bear fruit in the years to come.

“That’s why when we came here. We were motivated to prove ourselves,” he explained.

“We played beautifully, but came out with nothing because the other teams are strong.”

Cardoso noted the team’s progress in the Club World Cup, with the past two campaigns yielding no points.

This time around, they secured four points over three matches – a reflection of growth and potential.

“Can we do more? It’s always possible to do more, but we can sleep in peace tonight; we are proud of the players, the staff, and everyone. Recognition achieved. In 10 years, we will understand what we did today,” he said with pride.

Looking forward, he pledged an unwavering commitment to the club’s ambitions, aspiring to elevate their standards further.

“Let’s hope in 10 years, we look back and say we were weaker that time; we have to be better, we have to grow. Our standards will increase. I will oblige to improve as long as I am in this club,” Cardoso concluded.

The Brazilians will now enjoy a brief respite before turning their focus to pre-season preparations for the 2025/26 season, with the potential for Cardoso to bolster his squad as they aim for new challenges.