Cardoso hails Sundowns character and dedicates win "to those who believe"

Mamelodi Sundowns head coach Miguel Cardoso hailed his side’s collective effort and tactical discipline after two late goals secured a dramatic win over Sekhukhune United. The Brazilians had to dig deep in a tight encounter, but Cardoso said the team had always prepared for a finish that would require intensity, belief, and full squad involvement.

Speaking after the match, Cardoso described the clash as “a game with a lot of creativity” and revealed that their game plan centred on breaking Sekhukhune down in the dying stages.

“We knew the game would be finished towards the end and told the boys that today the starters will be as important as the finishers,” he explained.
“To put intensity and rhythm to make Sekhukhune players tired, we really needed to force them in the end to arrive without any energy left and capacity to process anything that we could make.”

The coach praised his squad’s commitment to the plan, emphasising that preparing for this encounter had been both meticulous and enjoyable.

“It was fantastic to prepare for this match. We brought the whole team and they understood that we had to be committed. Congratulations to the players, congratulations to everybody that believes.”

A Message to the Fans: “Believe in Us”

Cardoso also turned his attention to the supporters, dedicating the victory to those who continue to back the team.

“We need our fans to believe in us, to really believe in this team, and we dedicate this victory to those who are always with us.”

Praise for Impact Players

The Sundowns head coach singled out several players who made a difference off the bench, reinforcing his message about the importance of team depth.

“Today everybody that entered was fantastic — from Peter Shalulile, Tasreeq Matthews, Nuno, and both fullbacks Modiba and Mudau.”

Cardoso highlighted that football isn’t only about goals, but about the unseen work that contributes to the team’s success.

“The problem with people is that they don’t understand the work that a player does. Sometimes it’s not about the goals but the work a player does for others to score. I am very happy with the boys today.”

Trusting the Group

A recurring theme in Cardoso’s tenure has been trust — trust in the squad, in the process, and in collective responsibility. He reiterated that message once again.

“Trust, I always speak about trust. We need to trust the players that we have in the group and that’s exactly what I have been doing.”

Cardoso noted that he has made significant rotations across the past three lineups, insisting that any success this season will require unity and full squad contribution.