Mamelodi Sundowns boss Miguel Cardoso apologises to Orlando Pirates after press conference error

Mamelodi Sundowns coach Miguel Cardoso has apologised to Orlando Pirates after mistakenly saying the defending Betway Premiership champions had lost to Milford FC last season.

Cardoso made the inaccurate claim during a press conference following Sundowns’ Betway Premiership match against Milford FC in Tshwane last Wednesday. His comments prompted a strong reaction from a section of Orlando Pirates’ support.

The Portuguese coach had been praising Milford’s quality when he referred to the Buccaneers as one of the clubs beaten by the Durban-based side while Milford were competing in the Motsepe Foundation Championship last season.

However, Orlando Pirates lost only to Casric Stars in last season’s Nedbank Cup.

Cardoso addressed the error after Sundowns’ league meeting with Golden Arrows at King Zwelithini Stadium on Sunday, accepting responsibility for the statement and expressing regret.

“Sometimes people have a tendency to judge because we say something… and unfortunately, last week I made a mistake; I said Orlando Pirates had lost (against Milford). It was a mistake from my side,” Cardoso clarified.

“I am sorry, it was not true. But indeed, Milford, they made a fantastic campaign last year.”

The Sundowns manager then spoke emotionally about the personal criticism he had faced since making the mistake. He appealed for greater consideration for the families of coaches and others working in football when public criticism becomes personal.

“So, immediately there was a lot of criticism of me because I made a mistake. I also have a good heart, I am part of a family, I have a huge boy that is a fantastic boy, huge with education, 24-year-old boy, just about to finish a master’s in engineering. I have a wife, papa and mama, and also when things become personal, there is a family behind that is affected, and I think that is the respect that people need to have.”

Cardoso also called for a constructive relationship with the South African football community, saying he believed unity could overcome disagreement and criticism.

“Until where is the border, I have already proved to South Africans that we can do things, beautiful things together; it’s just a matter of letting things flow. Obviously, the direction is not always straight, but we know the sense we want to go to. Love will always unite us as much as the critics can try to tear us apart,” he added.

The incident came as Sundowns and Orlando Pirates continued their campaigns at the top level of South African football, with Cardoso’s side next facing Siwelele FC.

Sundowns will host Siwelele FC in a Betway Premiership fixture at Loftus Versfeld Stadium on Wednesday, with kick-off scheduled for 19:30.