Cardoso urges humility as Sundowns target more silverware after MTN8 triumph

Mamelodi Sundowns manager Miguel Cardoso has called on his players to remain focused and humble after their MTN8 triumph, with the club still potentially competing for seven more trophies this season.

Sundowns have already won the African-Asian-Pacific Cup and MTN8 during the opening stages of the campaign, securing the first two trophies available to them.

Their latest success also strengthened their record against Orlando Pirates in cup finals. Sundowns have now beaten Pirates four times in such matches, compared with two defeats.

Cardoso has lost only once in seven meetings with Orlando Pirates since arriving at Sundowns in December 2024. Against Abdeslam Ouaddou, meanwhile, he remains unbeaten in open play after five matches.

Reflecting on the MTN8 final, Cardoso said the team’s ability to work collectively had been central to securing the trophy.

“We always understood that only together giving the best of each other, trying to come out from the mistakes together would probably put us closer to winning,” he said.

“We knew that the game would give different moments.

“We had to cope with them as much as we would control our emotions…the football that you play comes from controlling your thoughts so that you can keep the stability that is needed to avoid mistakes than can lead to goals.”

Cardoso felt Sundowns could have won by a bigger margin, although he believed the result was a fair reflection of the contest.

“…in the end we could have even made a better result, but it is fair.

“It was a difficult victory and respect to our opponents and what they do on the pitch…we were deserving to win and take the trophy.”

The coach said repeating their MTN8 success had been identified as an objective before the season began, but warned his squad that further progress would require the same discipline.

“It was important to take it again, something we found as an objective at the beginning of the season and now looking ahead it is important to remain humble,” Cardoso added.

“The players need to keep the focus, trust each other, the values that the team has been developing as it puts us close to winning more and more.”

Sundowns’ attention now turns to domestic league action. They face Richards Bay on Tuesday at Princess Magogo Stadium before travelling to Angola for their CAF Champions League campaign.

Cardoso’s side will therefore have little time to savour their latest cup success as they continue their pursuit of further honours across the season.