Tension ran high for Mamelodi Sundowns this weekend after their MTN8 semi-final exit at the hands of Orlando Pirates.
The game ended in a penalty heartbreak, with the Buccaneers winning 4-1 in the shootout.
But the drama didn’t stop on the pitch. After the match, frustrated Sundowns supporters blocked the team bus, forcing police to step in.
Despite the chaos, head coach Miguel Cardoso insists the club remains steady behind the scenes.
Cardoso Dismisses Reports of Off-Field Problems
In response to growing speculation about internal turmoil at the club, Cardoso pushed back firmly.
“The performance has nothing to do with what people are saying,” he told FARPost. “Inside the club, there’s no problem.
We’re at peace, we enjoy our work every day.
Breakfast is there, training pitches are good, the players arrive as normal. Everything is calm.”
The coach stressed that outside noise doesn’t reflect the reality within the camp.
Questions Over His Style of Play
Cardoso stepped into the Sundowns role late last year, and although he delivered a league title, questions about his tactics continue to surface.
Some critics believe his approach hasn’t fully convinced either the fans or the football community.
“We just focus on the players we have,” Cardoso explained.
“We don’t deal with political matters — that’s for the chairman, the board, and the sporting director.
My job with the players is clear: we study the opponent, define a plan, and go forward. And I think we’ve done well.”
Pressure Building on the Coach
Even with his reassurances, the pressure is mounting. The fans’ reaction after the semi-final defeat shows that patience may be wearing thin.
While Cardoso insists everything is “normal,” the reality is that supporters are looking for more than stability — they want results.
What Comes Next for Sundowns?
With fans restless and questions hanging over his methods, Cardoso faces the challenge of proving he can steady the ship and push Sundowns further.
Whether he lasts the season could depend on how quickly his team bounces back from this disappointment.
