Mamelodi Sundowns head coach Miguel Cardoso has addressed the narrative that threatened to derail the team’s season, speaking frankly about reports of a dressing room rift during their recent slump.
Following a series of inconsistent performances, including heartbreaking penalty defeats in both the Carling Knockout Cup and Nedbank Cup, reports emerged that the Portuguese coach’s authority over the Tshwane giants was waning.
As Sundowns teetered on the brink of a CAF Champions League exit, the atmosphere turned hostile. The pressure from the stands reached a fever pitch, boiling over into physical confrontation as frustrated supporters reportedly hurled objects at both Cardoso and sporting director Flemming Berg.
The discontent was punctuated by a haunting chant ‘Pitso, Pitso, Pitso’, a clear call for the return of former mentor Pitso Mosimane, whose name remains linked with a sensational comeback to Chloorkop.
However, a run of six consecutive league victories has silenced the doubters and put Masandawana back in the thick of a title race against Orlando Pirates. They also managed to qualify for the Champions League quarter-finals.
On the back of Sundowns’ imperious form, Cardoso was named the Betway Premiership Coach of the Month for the January/February period. The Portuguese tactician guided the Brazilians to a flawless record of four wins from four matches, headlined by a statement away victory over title rivals Pirates.
CARDOSO MAINTAINS HE NEVER LOST HIS DRESSING ROOM
Cardoso maintains that the internal bond never wavered. “I have to confess, I never felt that there was any kind of loss in terms of managing the locker room,” he stated. “Obviously, when you are not winning, the emotions are not the same as when we are winning, but we have memories. We know what we have done in the past.”
“We lost two cups on penalties and, unfortunately, that didn’t give us trophies—but that is football. The players know very well the direction we are taking, and people within the club help us by keeping us united. I always say the doors of Chloorkop are strong—very, very strong. What happens outside is outside; what happens inside is another story.
In a candid assessment of the crisis, Cardoso suggested that much of the perceived disharmony was manufactured by external forces looking to destabilise the Tshwane giants.
“I think there was a lot of manipulation regarding a lot of things,” added Cardoso. “You saw me always calm, and while it was not easy for us, we had to fight back—keeping the belief and giving energy to our fans and the people we love. People try to take advantage of the moment; they felt they could find bridges to enter and touch us, but we showed we are courageous and that we have the backbone to handle it.”
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