Mamelodi Sundowns forward Arthur Sales has revealed what the Tshwane giants’ head coach Miguel Cardoso said at the start of the season regarding the MTN8 Cup.
The Portuguese coach is chasing his first domestic knockout trophy with Sundowns, who face Orlando Pirates in the MTN8 final at Moses Mabhida Stadium on Saturday, 10 October. Kick-off is at 18h00.
The Buccaneers have won the last four MTN8 editions and will be looking to defend it. On the other hand, Saturday’s final gives the Brazilians a chance to reclaim a trophy they last lifted in 2021, when they beat Cape Town City FC on penalties at the same venue.
Cardoso has won the Betway Premiership title in his first season at Chloorkop and added the CAF Champions League title in his second. His Masandawana side also lifted the FIFA African-Asian-Pacific Cup, beating Saudi Arabia’s Al Ahli 2-1 in September.
However, a domestic knockout title remains missing from his Sundowns record. Sales has revealed how clearly the coach’s ambition to win the MTN8 has been evident in the dressing room.
SALES REVEALS CARDOSO’S MTN8 TARGET
“When the year started, the coach said, ‘I want to fight for this cup [MTN8],’ because Cardoso hasn’t won this one yet,” said Sales. The Brazilian attacker also made it clear that the players share their coach’s desire to bring the trophy back to Chloorkop. “We want this cup,” he added.
Sales, meanwhile, says he is ready to play a full match if required, although he stressed the importance of getting regular minutes. He has been building his match fitness through training and friendly fixtures as he looks to contribute to Sundowns’ trophy push.
“I can play 90 minutes today, but it’s also about game time; you must play games,” said Sales. “I’ve already played games, friendly games. I trained fully. Game time is very important for a player…. I’m ready.”
Sundowns are sweating over the fitness of the Bafana Bafana trio – Teboho Mokoena, Bathusi Aubaas and Aubrey Modiba. The three returned from national team duty this week with injuries.
Aubaas pulled out of the Eritrea tie after 12 minutes, while Mokoena and Modiba were ruled out due to injury. They both featured in Bafana’s 2027 AFCON qualifying campaign opener against Guinea.
Cardoso said they would assess them this week to see if they are ready to feature on Saturday. However, Bafana mentor Pitso Mosimane hinted that Mokoena was making good progress, while Modiba had also returned to training.
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