Mamelodi Sundowns coach Miguel Cardoso has declared that ongoing transfer speculation cannot damage the club's unity, insisting the team's locker room is impossible to be broken despite the reported recent player departure requests.
The Portuguese mentor's comments come as the Brazilians face transfer pressure involving key players, including Khuliso Mudau, Peter Shalulile, and Brazilian forward Lucas Ribeiro Costa, who reportedly wants to leave for opportunities abroad.
Speaking to journalists during a media briefing at the PSL Offices ahead of their MTN8 semi-final second leg against Orlando Pirates on Saturday, Cardoso emphasized that external disruptions cannot affect the club's strong internal culture.
"I think Mamelodi Sundowns are not making any kind of noise about what is happening around. Whatever happens at Mamelodi Sundowns is preserving what happens in the locker room. The locker room is impossible to be ripped. It is impossible to be broken by these kinds of things. The locker room is too strong. The values inside the club are too strong, so these kinds of events can do nothing," Cardoso told the media.
The Portuguese-born mentor further stated that their focus remains unwavering and helps them prepare effectively for each match.
"The focus is too strong. We have become better at preparing for every match, and the time is too small, so the levels of concentration must be so high, so that we mustn't react to what is wrong. It's always the philosophy that when one falls, then two should rise. That's how we develop character. That's how we show character, and I think that's how the story of Mamelodi Sundowns has been written by strong character. We are a strong team. We are a strong people. It's always solved inside us in the best way possible for sure, in the right moment, all this will be fine," Cardoso added.
Despite the situation, Sundowns have maintained a solid start to the season, reaching the MTN8 semi-finals and sitting third on the Betway Premiership log with two wins and one draw from three matches.
Cardoso's resolute stance comes at a crucial time as Sundowns prepare for a pivotal clash against Pirates, with the coach's ability to maintain squad harmony potentially determining whether the club can continue their trophy-hunting tradition while managing significant player turnover.
The timing of Thursday evening's club statement addressing the ongoing issues suggests management recognises the need to control the narrative before it affects on-field performance in their biggest game of the season so far.
