Are Mamelodi Sundowns players sending a message to Motsepe? 'I’m not too sure if they want to play for Miguel Cardoso'

Mamelodi Sundowns are one of the well-funded teams, not only in Mzansi, but in Africa at large.

Having lasted with the team for a year, the supporters and club management anticipated coach Miguel Cardoso to hit the ground running this season.

The Brazilians had been tipped to dominate all the local competitions owing to the quality and consistency within their squad.

The defending Premier Soccer League champions fell in the MTN8 semi-final against eventual winners Orlando Pirates.

Last weekend, Masandawana were eliminated from the Carling Knockout after a 7-6 defeat against Marumo Gallants in the Round of 16.

Things have also been thick in the PSL where, despite being top, having played more games, 10, Cardoso's men have managed six wins, three draws, and a loss.

It is not the same as it has been for the club, which has led to speculation by former Kaizer Chiefs winger Junior Khanye that players are possibly sabotaging the former Esperance tactician. 

“Let us be realistic and not be scared to say this, Sundowns is a different team, they have dropped dismally,” he told iDiski Times..

“We need to be realistic. Yes, they’ve got high-profile players, but I’m not too sure if the players want to play for Cardoso.

I’m looking at the body language of certain players, and I’m not too sure about it. That’s how I see it," Khanye stated.

“A totally different team, they didn’t create chances [against Gallants], they lacked creativity and didn’t have that arrogance in front of goal.

"Sundowns have not been convincing. We need to be realistic and not be scared to say it the same way we compliment a good thing," he concluded.

Well, the club's chairman, Thlopie Motsepe, needs to determine the source of the problem before things escalate.

After the international break, Masandawana play Remo Stars of Nigeria in the first leg of the second preliminary round of the CAF Champions League.

Last season, Sundowns reached the final but were undone by Pyramids.