Former Mamelodi Sundowns defender Wayne Arendse is convinced Masandawana’s CAF Champions League triumph has settled the debate around coach Miguel Cardoso and redraws the narrative around the Portuguese.
The 54-year-old tactician endured a roller-coaster season, during which he had a love-hate relationship with Sundowns fans. He missed out on all domestic competitions, and it was the first time in over 10 years that the Brazilians had done so.
Cardoso also ended Masandawana’s PSL dominance as they surrendered the Betway Premiership title to rivals Orlando Pirates after eight successive years of being crowned champions. During the course of the season, amid some setbacks, fans turned against Cardoso, calling for his sacking.
At one stage, frustrated Sundowns fans even chanted the name of former coach Pitso Mosimane during matches, amid intense rumours linking the tactician with a return to Chloorkop.
It got worse at some point when the Brazilians went for a four-match winless streak in the Champions League group stage. They looked set to be eliminated in the group stages, but sneaked through to the knockouts with just two wins, three draws and a defeat.
But Sundowns managed to march all the way to the final, where Cardoso struck gold after two previous failed attempts. In his third consecutive Champions League final, the ex-Celta Vigo coach beat AS FAR Rabat and atoned for the 2023/24 disappointment of losing the decider to Al Ahly while in charge of Esperance.
He also made up for last season’s agony of guiding Sundowns to being losing finalists against Pyramids FC. It was a continental breakthrough that was not only a personal triumph but also saved his head after the domestic shortfall.
WAYNE ARENDSE LIFTS LID ON MIGUEL CARDOSO’S INCREDIBLE MAMELODI SUNDOWNS REDEMPTION
Cairo giants Al Ahly were said to have shortlisted Cardoso as they searched for Jess Thorup’s replacement. But Sundowns moved in to exercise an option to extend his contract by a season, as reported by this publication. Arendse feels Cardoso did enough to prove his critics wrong.
“Yes, for sure, winning the Champions League trophy will silence critics. Sundowns were chasing it for 10 years, and the coach finally managed to get us there,” Arendse told FARPost.
“If you have to choose between trophies like the Nedbank Cup or PSL, you obviously choose the Champions League. That silences everybody, like what coach Cardoso managed to do.
“So, Sundowns need to support him and give him space to continue doing his job. He has done well, and the Champions League is huge; it’s a big achievement.
“Of course, some people doubted him earlier, and it looked impossible to win this trophy, but he proved them wrong. That’s a mark of a champion, and that is some character from the coach and his team.
“So, yeah, when Ahly come knocking, it is not a surprise. They see something in him, and we know that when Al Ahly want a coach, they will be in full force.”
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