Why Miguel Cardoso could be skating on thin ice at Mamelodi Sundowns

Despite their dominance in the PSL, Sundowns have been struggling to replicate that form in the domestic cup competitions.

Those struggles, mainly, stem from a perceived lack of tactical flexibility and failure to manage fixture congestion, which often leads to player fatigue.

But that can’t be an excuse for being dumped out of the Wafa Wafa, with the competition taking place early in the season before the season gets hectic. 

Masandawana last tasted domestic cup glory during the 2021/22 season under Rhulani Mokwena and Manqoba Mngqithi. The Brazilians will now wait for the Nedbank Cup and the Carling Knockout Cup to try to redeem themselves.   

Cardoso, after the match, made an honest admission that Abdeslam Ouaddou’s men gave his side a run for their money over the two legs. 

While he acknowledges Pirates’ strong showing, the Downs tactician still maintains that charges also stood their own despite being on the losing end.  

“I think it was clear that we had an Orlando Pirates that was pretty strong, showing what they wanted but I also think we had a Mamelodi Sundowns that was strong and trying to manage the moments [of the game],” he said.  

The controversy over the futures of key players Khuliso Mudau and Lucas Ribeiro seems to be affecting the Brazilians negatively.

Both players are eager to leave the club, but the defending league champions are reluctant to approve their requests and are determined to keep them.  

Mudau has repeatedly been linked with a move to North Africa following his standout performances for both club and national team. 

Meanwhile, the Brazilian, Ribeiro, is a target for Qatar SC, with Downs reportedly rejecting multiple offers that were deemed strong enough to lure the player away.  

Sundowns fans expressed their unhappiness after the MTN8 semifinal second leg penalty loss to Pirates by throwing objects onto the pitch and piling more pressure on coach Cardoso.  

Since arriving at the club in December last year to replace Manqoba Mngqithi, Cardoso has failed to win the Champions League, Nedbank Cup and the Wafa Wafa. 

The Brazilians’ supporters are not impressed with the Portuguese coach, and it seems he is skating on thin ice and has to turn his situation around sooner rather than later.  

Sundowns have an epic clash with another arch-rival, Kaizer Chiefs, and can’t afford anything other than a convincing win.

Cardoso needs a strong performance to calm the Sundowns fans down, and there’s no better opportunity than beating another big rival.

It will be easier said than done, though, with Chiefs enjoying a rich vein of form since the start of the season, as they are currently unbeaten in the league.  

PSL

Orlando Pirates 

Kaizer Chiefs