Cardoso urges Sundowns fans to stay united through difficult spell

Mamelodi Sundowns head coach Miguel Cardoso has thanked the club’s supporters for their backing and called on them to remain behind the team as they attempt to recover from a difficult period and challenge for more silverware.

Sundowns return to Betway Premiership action on Saturday evening, when they host Durban City at Royal Bafokeng Stadium. Their attention will then turn to next Sunday’s CAF Super Cup final against USM Alger.

The Portuguese coach was speaking after Sundowns beat Marumo Gallants in the last 16 of the Carling Knockout. The victory followed the club’s early elimination from the CAF Champions League, a setback during which Cardoso said the supporters had continued to stand firmly behind the team.

“I want to also leave a strong message to them (supporters), because I think they were absolutely amazing. Me, myself I just received love, respect, consideration and energy. We were so much pushed forward and my players also,” Cardoso said.

He said the support reflected the identity of Mamelodi Sundowns and appealed to fans to attend Saturday’s match in large numbers, despite the game being moved away from Loftus Versfeld Stadium.

“That is really the spirit of a very particular and unique club, Mamelodi Sundowns, the fans made me very proud during these days and it is with them that we’re going to go forward and it’s an appeal to them to follow us on the next match, we’re not going to play here (Loftus Versfeld Stadium) unfortunately as much as it is a fixture at home,” he added.

Sundowns will instead play at Royal Bafokeng Stadium, a venue in a region Cardoso said had a strong following for the club.

“We will play in Royal Bafokeng, what is also a region with a lot of Mamelodi Sundowns fans. I leave here an appeal so they can come in numbers, so we can feel the energy, because in these moments, the real family stick together,” the 54-year-old continued.

“I confess to you, I’m not bluffing. It was so much important to feel so much energy pushing us forward and that shows the character of our fans.”

Cardoso also acknowledged the challenges supporters face in their own lives, saying their willingness to support one another was something the team wanted to match.

“That comes also from difficulties on their lives but they know how to stand for each other and that is what we’re going to do for them also and this is very important,” he said.

Sundowns will have another opportunity to progress in the Carling Knockout next Tuesday evening, when they host Golden Arrows in the quarter-finals at Loftus Versfeld Stadium.