Mamelodi Sundowns head coach Miguel Cardoso has addressed the club’s supporters after they were heard booing his players during the warm-up for Tuesday night’s clash against AmaZulu FC.
Cardoso’s troops secured a crucial 1-0 victory in the Betway Premiership encounter at the Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban. The win saw the defending champions leapfrog rivals Orlando Pirates to return to the top of the log.
Both sides are now tied on 38 points, with Sundowns at the summit due to their superior goal difference. With 13 matches remaining, the title race is heating up as the chasing pack—including Sekhukhune United and Kaizer Chiefs—lurks behind.
Speaking after the Usuthu match, Cardoso urged the Sundowns faithful to rally behind the team, insisting that no player receives preferential treatment.
CARDOSO’S REACTION TO THE BOOING BY SUNDOWNS SUPPORTERS
“Today I saw something I have never seen before, and I didn’t like it. I believe the Masandawana family needs to stick together through everything,” he told the media.
“These players work incredibly hard. They don’t deserve to step onto the pitch, warm up for a match like this, and be booed or have fans call for them to be substituted. As the coach of Sundowns, I don’t have any ‘sons’ [favourites] in this team. My decisions are based on strategy and the moment. I give my energy to everyone equally.”
MAMELODI SUNDOWNS COACH RUBBISHES SUGGESTIONS THAT SOME PLAYERS ARE FAVOURED AT THE CLUB
“Not because one is Portuguese or South American or South African, White or Black, Yellow or whatever. We don’t relate with that. That is something we overcame many years ago. Since I was born, I have looked at people as human beings, and I think it’s very important that people understand that.
“So it’s also a comment because I know people say a lot that I have privileges in the team, but there are no privileges. Today [Tuesday night], Miguel [Reisinho] stayed out of the team, Nuno [Santos] started from the bench and helped a lot.
“What we need is to relate with moments, for ones and others, and that’s what we do. Believe me, what I want is the best for Mamelodi Sundowns and the hard work we do together. If the family of supporters, together with players, understand the way we are doing, we can still achieve good things.”
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