Mamelodi Sundowns have thrown their weight behind head coach Miguel Cardoso despite the ugly scenes that followed their MTN8 semi-final exit at the hands of Orlando Pirates over the weekend, with the club now fully focused on their next test against Kaizer Chiefs in the Betway Premiership.
Saturday’s clash at Lucas Moripe Stadium ended in heartbreak for the Yellow Nation as the Brazilians bowed out of the cup, but it was what happened after the final whistle that left the biggest mark.
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The atmosphere soured dramatically as frustrated supporters made their feelings known. Objects were hurled onto the pitch in the direction of the players who had approached the stands to show appreciation, a rare and troubling sight at a Sundowns game.
Outside the stadium, tempers flared even further as angry fans confronted the team bus, forcing police to step in and disperse the crowd.
The eruption reflected not just disappointment over the day’s result but deeper concerns over the direction of the team.
In the midst of the chaos stood sporting director Flemming Berg, maintaining his composure on the touchline while emotions boiled over around him.
His presence may have appeared passive, but his influence at Chloorkop is anything but. Tasked with steering recruitment, managing transfers, and embedding a consistent football identity throughout the club, Berg now finds himself grappling with pressing challenges. Chief among them are the unresolved situations of Khuliso Mudau and Lucas Ribeiro, both eager to secure moves away, while the hierarchy remains hesitant to let them go.
That uncertainty risks unsettling the balance in the dressing room at a time when Miguel Cardoso can ill afford divided focus or wavering commitment from his players.
The Portuguese coach, who was brought in to maintain the club’s dominance while implementing fresh tactical ideas, has come under scrutiny from sections of the Sundowns faithful who are unconvinced by early performances.
Yet, despite the noise, the hierarchy at Chloorkop is determined to stand by him. “The club is fully behind the coach,” a source close to the situation told the Siya crew.
“This is a long-term project, and the club believes in his vision. The focus right now is on bouncing back strongly in the league, starting with the big game against Chiefs.”
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That encounter against Amakhosi could not come at a more crucial time. Chiefs remain one of Sundowns’ fiercest rivals, and the clash is always one of the most anticipated fixtures on the South African football calendar.
For Cardoso, it presents an opportunity to silence critics and re-establish momentum, while for the supporters, it will be a test of whether the team can respond to their frustrations with a performance worthy of the badge.
