Miguel Cardoso dismisses succumbing to pressure from Mamelodi Sundowns fans after Themba Zwane decision in Fifa Club World Cup opener against Ulsan HD - 'There’s no ghosts from the past at all'

The exclusion of Mamelodi Sundowns skipper Themba Zwane from the two legs of the Caf Champions League final against Pyramids FC sparked a furore with a section of South African football fans with criticism directed towards coach Miguel Cardoso after the Brazilians lost.

But the former Esperance coach started Zwane in Masandawana's 2025 Fifa Club World Cup opener against Ulsan HD in which they won 1-0.

However, Cardoso denies that pressure from fans forced him to include his captain in the starting lineup.

“Themba, there’s no ghosts from the past at all, or on me, the pressures from inside the club, with the board, with my players, you have pressure when you settle in a career of coaching like me,” Cardoso said.

“No it’s not [that he played Zwane because of the pressure from outside], I made [the decision] consciously, without any kind of force because I have such respect for my players that they know I don’t joke with them, we play fair, we trust and we have a lot of values in our locker room that go beyond the question that was raised in the press.

“What happens is that Themba made a helluva two weeks of preparation so that is the respect we need to have," added the former Celta Vigo coach.

"People spoke a lot about that [why he didn't play the Champions League final]...it seems people didn’t understand he comes from a process of growth [after a long-term injury], since the moment he could enter the team and train.

“It’s important to give him [Zwane] the right opportunities so he can perform, and today was the right opportunity for him to play, so I had no problems putting him in, even having the risk to let people think I’m putting in because of pressure.”

It was the first time ever for Zwane to start an official match since Cardoso was appointed Sundowns coach in December 2024 and also since returning to full fitness in April.

Lasting 77 minutes before being substituted, his presence was easily felt on the pitch, although he did not score or provide an assist.

The midfielder's contribution on Wednesday might raise some questions about what could have transpired had he been handed some playing minutes in the Champions League final.

Sundowns face Bundesliga giants Borussia Dortmund in their next group game at TQL Stadium on Saturday.

It might turn out to be a more challenging contest than the Ulsan match and Zwane would be hoping to start again and rise on such a big occasion.