Miguel Cardoso responds to pressure after Mamelodi Sundowns' draw with Kaizer Chiefs

“Next question, please. Next question. Don’t joke with me, sir, please!” Miguel Cardoso lambasted a journalist who asked him whether the draw on Wednesday night was career-saving.

Cardoso guided his Mamelodi Sundowns side to a stalemate against rivals Kaizer Chiefs at a buzzing FNB Stadium in the Betway Premiership on Wednesday.

They were fortunate to even come away with a point, as Chiefs were the more dominant side on paper, creating clear-cut chances but lacking firepower in the final third.

As such, Sundowns’ lacklustre performance has piled more pressure on Cardoso, who came into the match already under fire. The Portugal-born coach was still reeling from losing the MTN8 semi-final to Orlando Pirates after underwhelming performances in both legs.

With his team struggling to find consistency across all competitions — winning three games but drawing four — Cardoso’s future has become a subject of debate.

Some Masandawana are already calling for his dismissal, chanting “Cardoso Makahambe (Cardoso Must Leave)” after the game at the Calabash. This comes after a group of fans also attempted to confront the team bus following their MTN8 elimination by Pirates at Lucas Masterpieces Moripe Stadium on Saturday.

So, when asked whether the draw with Chiefs was enough to buy him more time, Cardoso fired back at suggestions that Sundowns were underperforming.

“We drew twice with Orlando and Kaizer Chiefs, who were top of the table,” he argued during his post-match press conference. “So I don’t see us drawing against a third- or second-division team.

“What do you expect, that in these kinds of games we’ll just arrive here and score five goals? Respect the opponent. You’re respecting me, but not them. You’re making them look worse than they are. These are very big teams.”

Cardoso added that, like any other side, Sundowns are bound to have the occasional off day and drop points.

“Last year, Orlando Pirates qualified for the CAF Champions League semi-final, if I remember correctly,” he said.

“We played them twice, and we didn’t lose. Of course, we wanted to win, even away. But I don’t think we were worse than Orlando Pirates.

“And with all due respect, we were not worse here — against a team that reinforced heavily, kept working hard, and had more than 65 000 fans behind them. We had our moments to control the match.

"So, please, why am I obliged to win every single game and be judged by that, when other people can draw and not face the same criticism?”