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Miguel Cardoso, Mamelodi Sundowns, October 2025Backpage
Kiplagat Sang

Mamelodi Sundowns' struggle explained! 'Players seem to have lost faith in the coach' as Miguel Cardoso is blamed

The Tshwane giants are far from what they have been associated with before: a lethal force that dismantled opponents with ease. Their dream of winning more titles this season was dealt a huge blow after elimination from the Carling Knockout Cup and MTN8.

  • Mamelodi SundownsBackpage

    Who is to blame?

    Former Mamelodi Sundowns winger Papi Mbele has solely blamed head coach Miguel Cardoso for Masandawana's current struggle.

    Mbele has said the players are not to blame because they are technically good, but Cardoso has failed to use them accordingly.

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  • Miguel Cardoso, Mamelodi Sundowns, September 2025Backpage

    'Cardoso is not spot on'

    "There is no crisis at Sundowns. Yes, we are not playing the beautiful football we used to, but who should we blame, the coach or the players?" Mbele told KickOff.

    "Technically, our players are very good individually, but tactically, the coach is not spot on. You can see that the players are no longer confident. They seem to have lost faith in the coach," he added.

  • Peter Shalulile, Mamelodi SundownsBackpage

    Cardoso getting his XI wrong

    The former winger has also told Cardoso which players he should have as his regular starters in order to reduce criticism.

    "Honestly, the coach’s starting eleven is not working. He should select the players that the supporters favour, like Mosa Lebusa and Peter Shalulile. If you lose with them, nobody will point a finger at you," Mbele explained.

    "Shalulile has just scored three goals for the national team of Namibia, yet when he returns, Cardoso is not playing him. The coach is not fielding the right eleven."

    "As a coach, you cannot go to Sundowns and try to play crosses; that's not part of the club's DNA."

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  • Mamelodi Sundowns, Marumo Gallants, October 2025Backpage

    Sundowns underwhelming

    The recent elimination from the Carling Cup underscored how the Tshwane giants are struggling. After 120 minutes, they were unable to score against Marumo Gallants and ended up losing in the post-match shootouts.

    In the league, out of ten games, they have managed just six wins and a draw. They only have 21 points and are ahead of Sekhukhune United, who have played one fewer game, by just a point.

  • Mamelodi Sundowns, Marumo Gallants, October 2025Backpage

    What awaits Sundowns ahead?

    On October 19, the Premier Soccer League defending champions will begin their CAF Champions League campaign.

    The Brazilians are set to face Remo Stars from Nigeria in a second preliminary round, hoping to beat their rivals and progress to the group stage.

    On October 21, they will face a stern PSL test as they are scheduled to play Babina Noko, who have been impressive in the season so far.

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