Mamelodi Sundowns coach Miguel Cardoso is surprised that midfielder Marcelo Allende is not receiving some recognition in the Betway Premiership, while also questioning why the 2025/26 PSL Midfielder of the Season award went to a winger.
Orlando Pirates wideman Oswin Appollis is the reigning Midfielder of the Season following some impressive performances for the Buccaneers. But Cardoso has made his case for his star midfielder Allende.
The Chilean was named Man of the Match after contributing a goal and an assist during Sundowns’ 3-2 victory over Golden Arrows FC in the second leg of the MTN8 semi-final tie at King Zwelithini Stadium on Sunday.
Just over a week earlier, the 27-year-old was also picked as the best-performing player when the Brazilians beat Marumo Galants 2-0 in the Betway Premiership. He was also the Man of the Match after Sundowns beat Polokwane City FC in the MTN8 quarter-finals. Allende has featured in all Sundowns’ seven matches this season, starting and finishing six of them.
CARDOSO TAKES SWIPE AT APPOLLIS’ PSL AWARD VICTORY, BACKS ‘UNDERRATED’ ALLENDE
The Sundowns coach feels Allende is underrated in the PSL and has not been accorded due recognition for what he says is the player’s consistency in recent seasons.
“Regarding Marcelo, I said that when he received his Man of the Match [award], I think it is the second one in a row; he got it in the last match also [against Marumo Gallants, instead],” Cardoso told the media after the Arrows clash.
“For me, it’s a very surprising thing that Marcelo is performing consistently in South Africa for so many years and still has not received an award for [PSL] Midfielder of the Season, especially when we see a winger receiving that trophy.
“But it’s also something that’s in the past. What we need to think about is what we are going to do this season so that in the end, we put ourselves in the position where we want to be.
“And no one at Sundowns has a big interest in fighting for individual trophies unless those trophies mean that the team did well. And then we accept individuality, of course.”
SOUTH AFRICA WILL MISS ‘HELL OF A PLAYER’ MARCELO ALLENDE
Earlier, in an interview with SABC Sport, Cardoso came out bold, saying South Africa does not understand what Allende offers as a footballer.
“I have said it many times, I think South Africa doesn’t really understand the man that is here and the player that is here. I don’t know when he will go away, but one day he will go for sure. South Africa will miss him because he is a hell of a player,” declared Cardoso.
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