They want to hurt Mamelodi Sundowns — Coach Cardoso responds to Mosimane return talk

Mamelodi Sundowns head coach Miguel Cardoso has responded strongly to growing speculation linking him with an exit from Chloorkop, suggesting the rumours are driven by external forces intent on destabilising the club.

In recent weeks, reports have surfaced claiming the Portuguese coach could be dismissed to make way for a sensational return by former Sundowns boss Pitso Mosimane. The speculation has intensified after Masandawana failed to defend both the MTN8 and Carling Knockout trophies earlier this season.

Despite those setbacks, Cardoso’s side remain firmly in the hunt for the two biggest honours on offer. 

Sundowns are still competing in the CAF Champions League and, following Monday’s 2–0 Betway Premiership victory over Orbit College, climbed to the summit of the league table.

Speaking after that win — which marked the return of domestic football following the Africa Cup of Nations break — Cardoso did not shy away from addressing the questions surrounding his future.

“These people want to hurt Sundowns,” Cardoso said. "It’s clearly people who want to hurt Sundowns, want to hurt the people in charge of Sundowns, want to hurt the coaches, want to hurt the players, want to hurt everything

The 52-year-old insisted the club’s foundations are far stronger than the noise surrounding it, stressing that decisions at Chloorkop are made internally, not influenced by outside narratives.

“Look, Sundowns is a club that is ruled from the inside out, not from the outside in. There’s a strong leadership within the club, a strong sporting direction, a very strong coach, and a united locker room,” he added.

“It is not from the outside that people will hurt us. The doors of Chloorkop are so strong that those kind of things do not enter. But they will keep frustrated because we are strong, very strong.”

Cardoso also adopted a philosophical stance when pressed further about his own position, suggesting his personal future extends beyond the confines of football results and speculation.

“Regarding my future, don’t worry about it. My future doesn’t depend on football; just my professional life depends on football. It’s completely different,” he explained.

“My future depends on many other things, depends much more on music than on football, depends much more on nature than on football, depends much more on cycling than on football.”

The Portuguese mentor stopped short of dismissing the rumours as baseless gossip, instead framing them as part of the pressure that comes with coaching a club of Sundowns’ stature, where success is demanded relentlessly.

Cardoso was also asked to clarify his recent social media activity, after he went live on Instagram amid the speculation — a move that sparked further debate among supporters.

“It was my very first time going live,” he explained. 

“I arrived while the game was already in progress, and I saw Iqraam (Rayners) and (Thapelo) Morena coaching. I also saw my assistant coach by their side, and the players enjoying themselves, while on the other side were the fans.

“I became so excited by what I saw that I called Fabio to ask him if he knew how to go live [on Instagram] and he showed me, and that’s how I ended up making that comment.”

For Cardoso, the message is unmistakable. Amid the rumours and speculation, Sundowns remain united, focused and firmly in control of their own destiny — with their ambitions for silverware still very much alive.