Mamelodi Sundowns captain Themba Zwane has lauded the impact of coach Miguel Cardoso at the club.
Cardoso joined Sundowns at the start of December 2024 to replace Manqoba Mngqithi and has led the club to their eighth straight PSL title while also guiding them to the CAF Champions League final.
Some critics have claimed Cardoso did not do much as he found a squad full of quality but Zwane disagrees with that sentiment as he says there have been massive improvements thanks to the Portuguese coach.
Sundowns captain lauds coach Cardoso
“I think the coach just upgraded our play,” Zwane told the media at the club’s base in Chloorkop as per FARPost.
“If you check right now, we rotate the ball very well. We push them to one side, and we switch the ball, we wait for the right moment to penetrate.
“And we have those runs upfront. I think our play makes us happy as players, we play with joy with a smile. We enjoy as players.”
Under Cardoso, Sundowns won the league in style, claiming 24 wins out of 28 matches, while reaching 73 points in the division.
What is next for Zwane and team-mates?
Their eyes are now trained on securing continental glory as they host Egyptian side Pyramids in the first leg of the Champions League final on Saturday before the return leg a week later in Cairo.
Zwane will play a crucial role as he looks to win his second Champions League trophy after lifting it in 2016 under Pitso Mosimane although Cardoso has been using him sparingly, having come from a long-term injury in April.
Mshishi’s experience and creativity will be needed against Pyramids, especially if they employ a defensive approach, as he is one of the players with the ability to open up a tight defence.
