Why The Cardoso Discussion Goes Deeper For Sundowns

Miguel Cardoso during the Betway Premiership match between Mamelodi Sundowns and TS Galaxy

Former Mamelodi Sundowns goalkeeper Ronnie Kanalelo has urged supporters to show patience with head coach Miguel Cardoso, insisting the Portuguese tactician is working on a long-term project designed for success beyond South African football.

Cardoso has faced criticism from sections of the Brazilians’ fanbase, but Kanalelo believes the reaction overlooks the club’s broader ambitions.

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“There’s a lot of unhappiness about Cardoso, but it’s a big one,” Kanalelo said. “People don’t want to adjust to new things. They want Sundowns to still play as if they are only competing in South Africa, but they are looking far ahead. Everything they do is about reaching their objectives – win the league, play in the Champions League, win it, and then go to the Club World Cup.”

Kanalelo also highlighted Sundowns’ recruitment strategy, which he says is geared towards competing on the continent and the global stage.

“When they sign players, they don’t sign for the South African league – no, definitely. They sign for bigger stages,” he explained. “They have to play differently in certain moments, and they are also an open book. It’s a different ball game when Sundowns play Pirates or Chiefs, but they’ve been building something structured and consistent,” said Kanalelo. 

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The former Namibian international added that Sundowns, Orlando Pirates and an improving Kaizer Chiefs have a clear identity that sets them apart from most PSL teams.

“You can see that there are principles in attack and defence, and in transitions – it’s clear with teams like Sundowns and Pirates,” he said. “With most other clubs, they are unpredictable. But Sundowns, Pirates, and now Chiefs are showing clear patterns and structures in how they approach games,” he said.

Photo by Sydney Mahlangu/BackpagePix  

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