Cardoso hits back at Sundowns critics

Mamelodi Sundowns coach, Miguel Cardoso, has hit back at critics who questioned the team following their 1-0 defeat to Lamontville Golden Arrows in the first leg of the MTN8 semi-final in Atteridgeville on Sunday.

The Brazilians face a difficult task in the second leg at the King Zwelithini Stadium this Sunday, knowing they must overturn the deficit to book their place in the final.

The Portuguese mentor expressed his frustration with the criticism surrounding his team after they beat AmaZulu 5-2 at Loftus Versfeld on Wednesday night in the Betway Premiership.

“People around always try to create instability. They come from outside to try and create instability, but we know this business already and we manage it with peace,” he said.

“It’s important that people respect the work that is being done in this club. This club has just won the Champions League that was not won in South Africa for 10 years but there’s no respect for it because we lost one match.”

Cardoso knows his side will have to be at their best against an Arrows side that has made an impressive start to the campaign.

The KwaZulu-Natal outfit are unbeaten in six matches across all competitions and have yet to concede a goal this season.

“Let’s see if we’re strong enough to go to Arrows and get the result we need. It will happen, but let’s see if we’re capable enough because it is a good test at the moment,” Cardoso said.

Yellow Nation, see you Sunday for our #MTN8 2nd leg👆#Sundowns #NeverStopRising pic.twitter.com/cIDY2vHwoO

— Mamelodi Sundowns FC (@Masandawana) August 27, 2026

Written by: Ntsako Mukhari