Being a champion is not always about lifting a trophy, says Mamelodi Sundowns' Cardoso

As South Africa gears up for crucial Fifa World Cup qualifiers against Lesotho and Nigeria, the Betway Premiership pauses, giving clubs a chance to reset and reassess their seasons.

Mamelodi Sundowns, standard-bearers of South African football both on the continent and the global stage, enter the break in third place. Many of Bafana Bafana’s recent successes have come through their key players, underlining just how influential the club has become.

For coach Miguel Cardoso, the pause is well-timed. His side has been among the busiest in Africa, juggling domestic and continental commitments, and he now has the chance to fine-tune after what has been a relatively slow start by their lofty standards.

The Portuguese coach has openly voiced concerns about the relentless schedule and its toll on his players. Fatigue has been a recurring issue, while dropped points — four in their first five league games — have added to the scrutiny.

Tensions escalated following a dramatic MTN8 semi-final exit at the Lucas Moripe Stadium, where Sundowns lost 4-1 on penalties to Orlando Pirates after their 2-2 aggregate score over two legs. 

The result sparked unrest among sections of the fan base, with calls for Cardoso’s departure growing louder. In response, he has strongly defended both himself and his team.

Encouragement, however, came with a narrow 1-0 victory over Stellenbosch FC just before the break. Still, the pressure remains. Cardoso insists, though, that his experience in South Africa has been overwhelmingly positive.

“My experience in South Africa has been exciting,” Cardoso commented.

“It has been absolutely amazing to be among the people; I have said that from the beginning. Every time my family comes they feel excited to be here.

“That is why I was caught by surprise the last two weeks and the last few days, because that is not the South Africa I found. I also think the example is not the generality, because when I go to the streets I keep receiving love and respect with warm words.

“That is not only the spirit of South Africans but the true fans of Mamelodi Sundowns and what the family has brought to the club."

Cardoso, a former Esperance de Tunis coach, led Sundowns to their eighth consecutive league title and to the CAF Champions League final losing to first time champions Pyramids FC by 3-2 on aggregate over two legs.

Although they fell short of lifting the continental crown, he maintains it was still a significant achievement, arguing that some of the criticism has been unfair.

“Having the chance to collect the hearts of people around us and the team highlights the values of the club, we still produce results, because we were champions and we broke almost all the records.

“We took the team to the Champions League final after ten years. What is strange is that every time people speak about the Champions League, it sounds like we lost everything and it was disastrous.

“When they speak negatively they will add the Champions League, another negative thing, the Club World Cup on the side of Miguel Cardoso.”

Referencing Stellenbosch coach Steve Barker’s recent CAF Confederation Cup run, Cardoso broadened the idea of what success means.

“Me and the coach are winners, he is a winner because he made the semi-finals of the Conference League, but he lost in the semi-finals. But he’s a winner, because it’s not always that the ones that are second or third are losers.

“Getting to a final of the Champions League is a long journey, but losing a final doesn’t make you a loser. It’s absolutely ridiculous to interpret it like that. Going to the Club World Cup and playing so well and getting four points against the best clubs in the world doesn’t make you a loser.

“Being a champion is not always about lifting a trophy, rebuilding this Sundowns team is a job for a champion and I am going to do it,” Cardoso concluded.