Pressure mounts on Cardoso after Sundowns’ cup exit

Mamelodi Sundowns’ Carling Knockout round of 16 defeat to Marumo Gallants has piled more pressure on under-fire coach Miguel Cardoso, who has now seen two potential trophies slip away this season.

The Brazilians were beaten 7-6 on penalties by Siwelele FC on Saturday after a gruelling 120 minutes ended goalless.

Following their MTN8 semi-final loss — also on penalties — to rivals Orlando Pirates, Sundowns are now left competing for just two trophies this season: the Nedbank Cup and the Betway Premiership.

It has been an uncharacteristic start to the campaign for the Chloorkop giants, who ended last season on a high but have struggled to maintain their usual dominance. Despite sitting among the league’s front-runners, Sundowns’ performances have been inconsistent, dropping points in key matches, with one loss and three draws in their opening ten league games.

The club’s hierarchy has historically shown little tolerance for underperformance, making it somewhat surprising that they have remained patient with the Portuguese tactician.

Both Rhulani Mokwena and Manqoba Mngqithi were shown the door after failing to deliver the CAF Champions League and domestic cup titles, respectively — trophies that have continued to elude the club despite their dominance on the local scene.

With the international break now on the horizon, Cardoso faces a crucial period to find answers and re-energise his team. The 53-year-old insists his players remain fully committed to the cause.

“The team is committed, and it was clear today on the pitch, with the players fighting until the last minute,” Cardoso said. “Altogether there was a lot of positive energy, and that gives us good things to look forward to because when there is such intensity and will to do things right, success will happen naturally.”

Sundowns supporters, however, have not been shy in voicing their frustration with the team’s inconsistent displays this season. Cardoso defended his players, arguing that luck simply wasn’t on their side.

“It’s obvious that the fans want to win and celebrate,” he said.

“The team fought from the first minute to the end, and no one on the pitch gave up. We know what we represent, and we are the first ones who want to win. But with matches that go to penalties, it can go either way.”

The international break will provide Cardoso with time to fine-tune his squad ahead of the league’s resumption, though he will have to do so without several key players on national duty — including 21-year-old defender Malibongwe Khoza, who recently earned his first Bafana Bafana call-up.

Cardoso expressed pride in seeing some of his players represent South Africa, singling out Khoza for praise after another solid display.

“The players have done the work with the coaches,” Cardoso said.

“The coaches have looked to the younger players with belief that they can sustain the level the team needs to have. Today, the team in general had a good game, and he also had a good game.

“He had a wonderful game against Gallants, and he’s a player we believe in — just like all the others in the squad,” Cardoso concluded.