Mamelodi Sundowns mentor Miguel Cardoso has pledged to throw his full weight behind Bafana Bafana head coach Pitso Mosimane, who is set for his first competitive game since his return to the national side.
Mosimane was appointed South Africa coach in August, replacing Belgian Hugo Broos, who vacated his position to retire as the longest-serving Bafana coach. During his five-year tenure at the helm of the national team, Broos often complained about the lack of support from Betway Premiership coaches.
Some planned meetings with the coaches did not materialise, but the likes of Cardoso, Orlando Pirates’ Abdeslam Ouaddou, Manqoba Mngqithi and Gavin Hunt are included among a few who had a record of a good working relationship with Broos.
Mosimane has now stepped onto the scene as he prepares for the 2027 AFCON qualifiers. Bafana host Guinea at Orlando Amstel Arena this upcoming Saturday, before facing Eritrea in Egypt four days later. That will be followed by an international friendly match against Egypt in Cairo on October 4.
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Mosimane’s squad for the upcoming assignments includes 13 Sundowns players. The Brazilians reclaim national team dominance from Orlando Pirates, who had briefly taken over.
“The national team has always existed. And I totally support the work of the national team of South Africa. It’s my job,” Cardoso told reporters at Loftus Versfeld Stadium after his side’s 2-1 victory over Al Ahli in the FIFA Intercontinental Cup on Saturday.
“That’s why I put myself at the service of coach Pitso for whatever he needs from my side to help him to be as strong as possible. Obviously it’s not my work, it’s his work, but I will absolutely support.
“I think it’s important that in the national team there are no Sundowns players. There are national team players. They just become Sundowns players when they come back. And there are no other teams’ players. They are just South African players, and that’s why I feel proud to see the national team of South Africa. When I see them playing, I see the national team.”
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The former Esperance coach added: “That happened the same way with coach Hugo, with whom I also had a good relationship. That’s a platform where I give him the possibility of whatever he needs from my side that he can use besides the players, information or whatever.
“And the players go, they will play, when they come back, we will see. Also, when the coach [Mosimane] is starting [his second stint as Bafana coach], we need him to have a very good start [in the 2026 AFCON qualifiers].
“Let’s hope we can produce results in the national team. And we will support obviously, and we stay together and celebrate those results with the same attitude we celebrate ours. That’s my position.”
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