Cardoso sends warning ahead of first cup final with Sundowns
Mamelodi Sundowns coach Miguel Cardoso knows exactly what is at stake when he leads the Brazilians into his first domestic cup final on Saturday.
Sundowns face Orlando Pirates in the MTN8 final at Moses Mabhida Stadium, with Cardoso looking to add another trophy to an already remarkable spell at Chloorkop.
Since taking charge, the Portuguese coach has guided Sundowns to the Betway Premiership, CAF Champions League and African-Asian-Pacific Cup.
But the MTN8 represents another challenge, with Sundowns still searching for their first domestic knockout trophy since winning the Nedbank Cup in 2022.
Cardoso says there will be no room for complacency. “We know the responsibility of a match like this. We want to do well,” he says.
The coach admits the occasion will be special for members of his technical team who have never experienced a domestic cup final before.
“For some of us, as the coaching staff, we have never played a domestic cup final, so obviously it is an important moment for us.”
However, Cardoso insists Sundowns cannot afford to get carried away by the occasion, especially with a demanding schedule waiting immediately after the final.
“But it is just the next match,” he adds. “We will play on Tuesday against Richards Bay immediately after and then on the weekend in the qualifiers of the Champions League.”
One of his biggest concerns is managing the fitness of his squad.
“The objective we have to consider in our preparations is the risk involved — for example, using players who are not 100%.”
Despite those concerns, Cardoso insists his team will give everything when they walk onto the pitch.
“But when we go for this match, we will go with full intention, full commitment,” he continued.
“We understand what is at stake, and we will obviously want to continue the season in the best way.”
The Sundowns coach says they are preparing for every possible scenario against a Pirates side he regards as a top-level opponent.
“We are taking nothing for granted and are very suspicious of everything, it means that we have to prepare ourselves for all the details.”
Cardoso expects the final to reach Champions League intensity.
“It will be a high-level match, at the same level as a Champions League match, because Orlando Pirates is a high-level team full of quality players.”
But he insists Saturday’s result will not define Sundowns’ entire campaign.
“But it will be just one more match, and what will speak for us will be the end of the season.
“And then we will have to make a balance because throughout the season there will be so many challenges that we have to approach in a different way.”
Sundowns are entering a remarkable trophy run. After lifting the African-Asian-Pacific Cup last month, they now have the MTN8 in October, the CAF Super Cup in November and three more trophies on offer in December — the Carling Knockout, Challenger Cup and Intercontinental Cup.
For Cardoso, Saturday is the next test in what could become a trophy-packed few months at Chloorkop.
