Cardoso retains Sundowns backing after Champions League setback

Miguel Cardoso retains the confidence of Mamelodi Sundowns despite the club’s failure to reach the CAF Champions League group stage, according to fellow Portuguese coach Luis Goncalves.

Sundowns, the defending champions, will not have the opportunity to retain their title this season after their early exit from Africa’s premier club competition. However, Goncalves believes Cardoso should remain in charge as the club turns its attention to a demanding domestic and international schedule.

“I’m a coach, so I believe that the club still has confidence in Miguel regardless of the usual politics at the club,” Goncalves said.

Sundowns can now concentrate on the domestic league, Carling Knockout, Nedbank Cup, their FIFA Intercontinental Cup pathway and the CAF Super Cup. Their remaining opportunities could amount to six trophies, with two trophies still available in what remains of the FIFA Intercontinental Cup.

Goncalves, who has previously managed Mozambique and worked in Angola, China, Saudi Arabia, Morocco and Portugal, said the scale of Sundowns’ investment naturally created high expectations.

“There is no doubt that Miguel is a competent coach whose work I trust the club still has confidence in,” he said.

“It is understandable that with all the investment that had been made at the club, they always want to be in the group stages of the Champions League.

“The investment dictates that their ambitions are higher.”

Despite the disappointment in the CAF Champions League, Sundowns are currently top of the league and have already secured two trophies, a record Goncalves described as a positive achievement for the squad.

“Besides the misfortune in the Champions League, Sundowns are first in the league right now, have already won two trophies, which is great for the team,” he said.

Goncalves watched Sundowns in last year’s CAF Champions League final while he was working in Morocco. He said the standards reached by the club had made them one of the most feared sides on the continent.

“While still working in Morocco, I watched them in the CAF Champions League final last year and so I know the levels they have reached make them feared across the continent,” he said.

Goncalves says Cardoso should stay

Goncalves also credited Cardoso with helping Sundowns compete at the FIFA Club World Cup, win the Champions League and progress to the FIFA tournament in December.

“So, to be honest, Miguel has improved Sundowns and that is why they have been able to compete at the Club World Cup, win the Champions League, and now play in the FIFA tournament in December,” he said.

“For all that he has done at Sundowns, he cannot then be crucified for this one failure in the Champions League, and I’m sure Sundowns know that.

“This is football and it doesn’t always go your way.

“At times, the best teams don’t win, and Sundowns know that.

“So, I believe he should continue in the job,” Goncalves added.