Motsepe Backs Cardoso Amid Fan Calls For Dismissal

Mamelodi Sundowns chairman Thlopie Motsepe has responded to frustrations from supporters for the dismissal of head coach Miguel Cardoso, noting that the club’s leadership still has faith in him. 

It has been a challenging season for Cardoso, with some fans calling for his departure, saying they are unhappy with his performance.

Cardoso has already missed out on the MTN8, Carling Knockout Cup, and Nedbank Cup titles. In addition, fewer players have been called up to the national team since he took charge of the club, compared to the period when the team was coached by Rhulani Mokoena.

However, the Portuguese-born tactician still has an opportunity to secure the club’s long-standing objective, which is the CAF Champions League, as well as lift the Betway Premiership title.

“As a football club, we hear the fans. We do hear the frustration they’ve had at the time,” said Motsepe.

“Again, it’s about empathy and understanding these circumstances, and also sometimes understanding the technical team and coach circumstances. The supporters come from a point where there’s a lot of pressure on them; the outside may be supporters from other teams. Of course, it’s the nature of competition.

“The pressure they find themselves in sometimes, when we are not performing to the high standards that they would hope, those frustrations are voiced, and we hear them.”

“But we are a long-term club; we are a club that looks at the project in terms of its entirety. Our supporters have been with us for a very long time, and we also look at our coaches and say where we want to be with you for a period so we’re able to achieve our target.” 

Motsepe added: “At this moment, we have a lot of support and a lot of faith in our coaching team and our coaches and the technical team. They have done a great job to keep the team together and also focus on the task at hand and take us to where we are right now.”