Is it lights out for Miguel Cardoso at Mamelodi Sundowns?

COMMENT

Miguel Cardoso was supposed to be a light during a dark time for Mamelodi Sundowns, and judging by the progression of his tenure at the club, it seems his light has burned out and now needs to be replaced.

Cardoso has been at Sundowns’ helm for more than a year. However, during that period, he has done little to bring joy to Masandawana – a pattern that appears set to continue this season, unless he changes his approach.

Sundowns drew 2-2 with Al Hilal in their third CAF Champions League group-stage match on Friday night, missing out on a huge opportunity to buy themselves some breathing space in Group C and take a step closer to reaching the knockout round. They remained top of the log with five points, level with the Blue Wave, who are second due to an inferior goal difference.

Sundowns’ sloppiness at home was uncalled for as they made amateurish mistakes by forgetting two golden rules of continental football: possession doesn’t win matches, and home games at any stage are must-win.

While the players play the games and are responsible for missed chances and clumsy defending, the person to blame for the mishaps was none other than Cardoso, largely due to his squad selection.

Defender Thato Sibiya had a dream start to his professional career at the club, earning the Player of the Match award in the 2-0 win over Orbit College in the season’s restart last week Monday.

However, that did not mean he should have started the very next game against a powerhouse like Al Hilal in the Champions League. He was clearly out of sorts, battling with the physicality of the Sudanese players and losing possession cheaply at times.

With the team having welcomed back several international stars, including Khuliso Mudau and Teboho Mokoena, after they were rested following the Africa Cup of Nations break, it would have been reasonable to assume that Aubrey Modiba and Divine Lunga were also available for selection at left-back.

Instead of owning up to his mistake, Cardoso chose to fully back the youngster, saying he gave the team what he wanted both defensively and in the final third. That analysis was questionable, as some who watched the game would beg to differ.

Tasked with analysing the game from the bench and introducing the right players to influence the match, Cardoso instead publicly criticised Sibiya’s replacement, Fawaaz Basadien, claiming it was his mistake that led to the equaliser.

Granted, Basadien was responsible for Al Hilal’s equaliser, but how does a coach – one who is supposed to shield his players from scrutiny – kick a man who is already down?

This is especially concerning given that Basadien has already been under the spotlight for his limited game time since moving from Stellenbosch FC in the winter window in search of greener pastures. That is not good player management.

Cardoso’s questionable selection choices were also evident up front. He started Lebo Mothiba ahead of Brayan León, who was left on the bench. That decision came back to haunt him in the first half, as Mothiba was ineffective and almost invisible, forcing Cardoso to replace him with the Colombian at half-time.

The Portuguese coach’s failure to show a clear plan and manage his players resulted in him being escorted out of the stadium through the back entrance under heavy security, as some Masandawana bayed for his blood. One angry supporter even splashed water on sporting director Flemming Berg while leaving the stadium.

Those disgruntled supporters are now calling for both Cardoso and Berg to leave “their club” and for Pitso Mosimane to be reappointed, despite his ongoing legal disputes with the board.

Earlier in the week, Cardoso claimed his job remains safe despite the outside noise. Whether that will hold true, however, remains to be seen.

However, should he remain on the bench for the league clash against Sekhukhune United on Tuesday night and the return leg against Al Hilal in Rwanda on Friday, Cardoso cannot afford to falter. He must get his squad selection right and produce convincing football – otherwise, both he and Berg may face not only the wrath of angry fans, but also a board that has shown itself to be ruthless at times.

Lest Cardoso forget, the Champions League is Sundowns’ Holy Grail this season, and they can’t afford to slip up and miss the promised land.