Cardoso questions why Sundowns midfielder Allende remains overlooked in South Africa

Mamelodi Sundowns coach Miguel Cardoso says he is “very surprised” that Marcelo Allende has received so little individual recognition during his time in South African football.

The Chilean midfielder was named Player of the Match for a second successive game after helping Sundowns beat Golden Arrows 3-2 on Sunday. The victory secured Sundowns’ place in the MTN8 final.

Allende’s latest award prompted Cardoso to question why the midfielder’s consistent performances have not been matched by greater acknowledgement in the country’s individual honours.

“Regarding Marcelo. I told that when he received his Man of the Match (award), I think it is the second one in a row, so he got the last match also,” Cardoso told journalists.

“For me, it’s a very surprising thing that Marcelo is performing consistently in South Africa for so many years and still hasn’t really received an award for midfielder of the season, especially when we see a winger receiving that trophy.”

Allende has become an important part of the Sundowns midfield since joining the club, but he has been nominated for the PSL Midfielder of the Season award only once.

That nomination came during the 2024/25 campaign, when he was shortlisted alongside Orlando Pirates’ Makhehleni Makhaula and Sundowns team-mate Teboho Mokoena. Makhaula ultimately won the award.

Cardoso, however, says individual recognition must not distract Sundowns from their wider ambitions. The Portuguese coach believes personal awards should follow team success rather than become a separate priority.

“But it’s also something that’s in the past. What we need to think about is what we’re going to do this season so that in the end, we put ourselves in the position where we want to be.”

Sundowns’ immediate focus now returns to the Betway Premiership. They face Milford on Wednesday, with Allende having another opportunity to continue the form that has earned him consecutive Player of the Match awards.

The fixture also gives Sundowns a chance to build further momentum in the league after confirming their place in the MTN8 final.

Cardoso made clear that Allende’s performances will ultimately be judged in the context of Sundowns’ collective objectives, rather than by individual prizes alone.

“And no one at Sundowns has a big interest in fighting for individual trophies unless those trophies mean that the team did well. And then we accept individuality, of course.”