{"id":31689,"date":"2025-10-07T08:52:50","date_gmt":"2025-10-07T06:52:50","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/?p=31689"},"modified":"2026-03-12T09:47:04","modified_gmt":"2026-03-12T07:47:04","slug":"will-miguel-cardoso-survive-the-pressure","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/will-miguel-cardoso-survive-the-pressure\/","title":{"rendered":"Will Miguel Cardoso Survive the Pressure or Will Sundowns Pull the Plug?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>Mamelodi Sundowns find themselves at an uncomfortable crossroads after another disappointing cup exit under coach Miguel Cardoso. The Brazilians\u2019 shock Carling Knockout Round of 16 defeat to Marumo Gallants has sparked widespread debate about the Portuguese tactician\u2019s future, with questions swirling around whether the club\u2019s usually ambitious hierarchy will stay patient or act decisively.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-pressure-mounts-on-cardoso-after-another-cup-exit\">Pressure Mounts on Cardoso After Another Cup Exit<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The Tshwane giants were knocked out 7\u20136 on penalties after 120 goalless minutes against Gallants, their second cup elimination via spot kicks this season following their MTN8 semi-final loss to Orlando Pirates. That means two potential trophies are already off the table, leaving Sundowns to focus on the Betway Premiership and Nedbank Cup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>For a club accustomed to sweeping silverware, such setbacks are rare. While Sundowns remain near the top of the league standings, their performances have lacked the fluid dominance fans expect. A series of tight draws and a single defeat in ten league games has fuelled frustration among supporters, many of whom have voiced their concerns about Miguel Cardoso\u2019s approach.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe title=\"Mamelodi Sundowns v Marumo Gallants | Match Highlights | Carling Knockout\" width=\"755\" height=\"425\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/BylSo2R9IQM?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<div id=\"gaute-2019813649\" class=\"gaute-inbetween-content gaute-entity-placement\" style=\"margin-top: 30px;margin-bottom: 30px;margin-left: auto;margin-right: auto;text-align: center;\"><div class=\"gaute-adlabel\">Advertisement<\/div><script async src=\"\/\/pagead2.googlesyndication.com\/pagead\/js\/adsbygoogle.js?client=ca-pub-1852772760112594\" crossorigin=\"anonymous\"><\/script><ins class=\"adsbygoogle\" style=\"display:block;\" data-ad-client=\"ca-pub-1852772760112594\" \ndata-ad-slot=\"1819787043\" \ndata-ad-format=\"auto\" data-full-width-responsive=\"true\"><\/ins>\n<script> \n(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); \n<\/script>\n<\/div><h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-a-club-known-for-high-standards\">A Club Known for High Standards<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Historically, Sundowns\u2019 management has shown little tolerance for underachievement. Both Rhulani Mokwena and Manqoba Mngqithi were relieved of their duties despite maintaining domestic success, largely because they fell short in the CAF Champions League, the crown jewel Sundowns continue to chase.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Given that track record, many expected Cardoso\u2019s tenure to be under review after the weekend\u2019s shock result. Yet, surprisingly, the Chloorkop hierarchy appears to be taking a more measured approach this time, suggesting the 53-year-old coach still has room to prove himself.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-cardoso-remains-defiant\">Cardoso Remains Defiant<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Despite the criticism, Cardoso insists he has the full backing of his players. He praised their fight and togetherness after the Gallants defeat, highlighting their \u201cpositive energy\u201d and \u201cwill to succeed\u201d even in adversity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cThe team fought until the final whistle, and that shows commitment,\u201d he said. \u201cWhen you play 120 minutes with that kind of intensity, success will follow. Sometimes, penalties simply don\u2019t go your way.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The coach also defended his squad\u2019s mentality, pointing out that the margins between victory and defeat in knockout games are often small.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"550\" data-dnt=\"true\"><p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">Miguel Cardoso on the Gallants defeat and the pressure mounting on his shoulders. \ud83c\udf99\ufe0f\u26bd<a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/goalzaplv?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">#goalzaplv<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/BMOjWj7chx\">pic.twitter.com\/BMOjWj7chx<\/a><\/p>&mdash; GOAL South Africa (@GOALcomSA) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/GOALcomSA\/status\/1974776584474419638?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">October 5, 2025<\/a><\/blockquote><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<div id=\"gaute-443123534\" class=\"gaute-inbetween-content gaute-entity-placement\" style=\"margin-top: 30px;margin-bottom: 30px;margin-left: auto;margin-right: auto;text-align: center;\"><div class=\"gaute-adlabel\">Advertisement<\/div><script async src=\"\/\/pagead2.googlesyndication.com\/pagead\/js\/adsbygoogle.js?client=ca-pub-1852772760112594\" crossorigin=\"anonymous\"><\/script><ins class=\"adsbygoogle\" style=\"display:block;\" data-ad-client=\"ca-pub-1852772760112594\" \ndata-ad-slot=\"1819787043\" \ndata-ad-format=\"auto\" data-full-width-responsive=\"true\"><\/ins>\n<script> \n(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); \n<\/script>\n<\/div><h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-supporters-divided-over-his-future\">Supporters Divided Over His Future<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>While the coach preaches patience, sections of the Sundowns fan base are losing faith, particularly given the club\u2019s depth and resources. However, former defender Wayne Arendse believes the Portuguese tactician still deserves time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Arendse, part of the 2016 CAF Champions League-winning squad, argued that Cardoso\u2019s true test will come in Africa\u2019s top club competition. \u201cSundowns are built for the Champions League,\u201d he told<a href=\"https:\/\/www.soccerladuma.co.za\/local\/mamelodi-sundowns\/wayne-arendse-feels-miguel-cardoso-will-be-judged-in-caf-champions-league\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"> <em>Soccer Laduma<\/em><\/a>. \u201cThey know they\u2019ll challenge for the league, but the real measure will be how they perform in Africa. He should be judged there, not in early domestic cup rounds.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Arendse added that last season\u2019s journey to the Champions League final, where Sundowns narrowly lost to Pyramids, proved Cardoso\u2019s credentials, suggesting that a full season under his system could still deliver the desired results.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-time-to-regroup-during-the-break\">Time to Regroup During the Break<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The upcoming international break could not have come at a better time for Cardoso. It offers him a window to reassess tactics, restore confidence, and iron out inconsistencies before the league resumes. However, he\u2019ll be without key figures like young defender Malibongwe Khoza, who earned a maiden Bafana Bafana call-up after a string of strong performances.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Cardoso praised Khoza\u2019s growth, describing him as part of the \u201cnext generation\u201d capable of maintaining Sundowns\u2019 high standards. His comments suggest a coach still confident in his long-term vision, despite mounting short-term pressure.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"550\" data-dnt=\"true\"><p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">Head Coach Miguel Cardoso shares his thoughts on yesterday\u2019s cup tie, reflecting on the team\u2019s performance and the lessons to build on moving forward. \ud83d\udc46<a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/Sundowns?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">#Sundowns<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/CarlingKnockout?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">#CarlingKnockout<\/a>  <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/AreyengMasandawana?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">#AreyengMasandawana<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/1kHXE2wcbO\">pic.twitter.com\/1kHXE2wcbO<\/a><\/p>&mdash; Mamelodi Sundowns FC (@Masandawana) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/Masandawana\/status\/1974826170865594462?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">October 5, 2025<\/a><\/blockquote><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<div id=\"gaute-3104896430\" class=\"gaute-inbetween-content gaute-entity-placement\" style=\"margin-top: 30px;margin-bottom: 30px;margin-left: auto;margin-right: auto;text-align: center;\"><div class=\"gaute-adlabel\">Advertisement<\/div><script async src=\"\/\/pagead2.googlesyndication.com\/pagead\/js\/adsbygoogle.js?client=ca-pub-1852772760112594\" crossorigin=\"anonymous\"><\/script><ins class=\"adsbygoogle\" style=\"display:block;\" data-ad-client=\"ca-pub-1852772760112594\" \ndata-ad-slot=\"1819787043\" \ndata-ad-format=\"auto\" data-full-width-responsive=\"true\"><\/ins>\n<script> \n(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); \n<\/script>\n<\/div><h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-calm-before-the-storm\">Calm Before the Storm<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>For now, <a href=\"https:\/\/iol.co.za\/sport\/soccer\/psl\/2025-10-06-pressure-mounts-on-cardoso-after-sundowns-cup-exit\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Cardoso\u2019s position<\/a> appears safe, with Sundowns still leading the league and gearing up for another CAF Champions League campaign. But history shows that patience is never unlimited at Chloorkop. Unless results and silverware follow soon, optimism could quickly give way to action.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Whether this current calm represents renewed faith or the silence before a managerial storm remains to be seen. What\u2019s certain is that the next few months could define both Cardoso\u2019s tenure and Sundowns\u2019 ambitions for the season ahead.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Related article: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/miguel-cardoso-left-fuming-after-sundowns-defeat\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Miguel Cardoso Left Fuming After Sundowns\u2019 First Betway Premiership Defeat<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Mamelodi Sundowns find themselves at an uncomfortable crossroads after another disappointing cup exit under coach Miguel Cardoso. The Brazilians\u2019 shock Carling Knockout Round of 16 defeat to Marumo Gallants has sparked widespread debate about the Portuguese tactician\u2019s future, with questions swirling around whether the club\u2019s usually ambitious hierarchy will stay patient or act decisively. Pressure<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":8,"featured_media":31696,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"rank_math_focus_keyword":"","rank_math_title":"","rank_math_description":"Mamelodi Sundowns find themselves at an uncomfortable crossroads after another disappointing cup exit under coach Miguel Cardoso. The Brazilians\u2019 shock Carling...","footnotes":""},"categories":[56,64],"tags":[7417,11118,11108,360],"class_list":{"0":"post-31689","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-sports","8":"category-sports-news","9":"tag-carling-knockout-cup","10":"tag-latest-football-news","11":"tag-latest-sports-news","12":"tag-mamelodi-sundowns"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/31689","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/8"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=31689"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/31689\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":31691,"href":"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/31689\/revisions\/31691"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/31696"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=31689"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=31689"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=31689"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}