Cardoso Hails Sundowns’ Unity In Title Charge
Mamelodi Sundowns coach Miguel Cardoso has credited unity, strengthened personnel, and a renewed collective attitude for the club’s impressive resurgence in the Betway Premiership following a difficult start to the campaign.
The Brazilians endured a turbulent opening to the season, struggling to find consistency in the league while also suffering early eliminations in domestic cup competitions.
Sundowns were knocked out of the MTN8 and the Carling Knockout earlier in the season, and more recently exited the Nedbank Cup despite rediscovering their rhythm in the league.
However, the Tshwane giants have since rediscovered the dominant form that has defined them in recent years.
Cardoso’s side is currently on a six-match winning streak in the Betway Premiership and appears to be firmly back on track as they pursue what would be a remarkable ninth consecutive league title.
The latest victory for the Brazilians, a 2-1 win over Golden Arrows at Loftus Versfeld Stadium on Wednesday night, lifted them to 44 points from 19 matches.
Sundowns now sit second on the table, level on points with log leaders Orlando Pirates, who hold a superior goal difference. The recent turnaround has not gone unnoticed, with Cardoso receiving the Coach of the Month award for January/February.
Reflecting on the team’s rise to the occasion, Cardoso pointed to comments he had made earlier in the season.
“Look, the answer for this question is in my statement at that time (at the beginning of the season), and if you go back to those press conferences, you will find the answers,” Cardoso said.
“What we got is that we got stronger; we got players that made us stronger. We also have a collective attitude and the values that we have in the locker room, and the players express that every day.
“We are more committed, together, spreading love, and training harder than ever. That is Mamelodi Sundowns. And this morning [Wednesday], the players congratulated me for the Coach of the Month award, and I said I want more than that.”
Despite the personal accolade, the Portuguese mentor, who previously coached Esperance, was quick to emphasise the collective effort behind the achievement.
“Obviously, I would not be serious if I said I’m not feeling happy for this award,” Cardoso added.
“But I stay especially happy because it gives a lot of energy for my family and even my friends as well, because they get a lot of energy because of this.
“But I see this trophy as a very big collective achievement, and when I got this, the players congratulated me.
“That trophy means that the guys stood up for the moment, and believe me, I will put a sticker on that award and write something because it is really special.”
With momentum firmly on their side, Sundowns will now shift focus to their next league assignment against Orbit College away from home next Tuesday.
Attention will then turn to continental matters as they prepare to face Stade Malien in the CAF Champions League quarterfinal next Saturday, aiming to translate their domestic resurgence into success on the African stage.
