Mamelodi Sundowns coach Miguel Cardoso is happy with the way his players performed even after crashing out of the 2025 Club World Cup.
The Premier Soccer League champions played to a goalless draw on Wednesday night against Fluminense. It wasn't an anticipated result for Masandawana, who needed maximum points to advance from Group F. However, it was the South American outfit and Borussia Dortmund who made it from the pool.
Cardoso, who took over from Manqoba Mngqithi, is satisfied with what he has achieved with the team, despite winning just the Premier Soccer League, which has been the norm in the last eight seasons.
Sundowns were motivated to prove a point
‘I can’t speak for the whole season, but the eight months I have been in the club has been amazing, we won the league, like nobody won, with records, only maybe not goals conceded we didn’t break, that was the base of the objectives,” Cardoso told the media.
“We didn’t win the Champions League, but we were back for the first time in the final in ten years, we will be strong going back there, those matches in the final, we were not at the level we needed to be.
“That’s why when we came here we were motivated to prove ourselves, with the style of play with the club, but football is like this; we knew this competition was risky. We played beautifully but came out with nothing, because the other teams are strong,” he continued.
‘Sundowns have to grow'
Cardoso believes Masandawana are on the right track, and promised that he will ensure his team makes it to the next level.
“We go from here with four points, the previous Club World Cup was two defeats, now it’s one win, one draw, one defeat, can we do more? It’s always possible to do more, but we can sleep in peace tonight, we are proud of the players, the staff, and everyone. Recognition achieved, in ten years we will understand what we did today.
“Let’s hope in ten years we look back and say we were weaker that time, we are much better, we have to be better, we have to grow. Our standards will increase, I will oblige to improve as long as I am in this club,” Cardoso concluded.
Downs will now take a holiday after a tiresome season before starting preparations for the new campaign.
