logo
Sundowns' Cardoso reacts to being honoured in Portugal

Sundowns' Cardoso reacts to being honoured in Portugal

The Citizen3 days ago
'I received a letter from the President of the Portuguese Football Federation, recognising the work I've recently done in Africa,' said the Sundowns head coach.
Miguel Cardoso, head coach of Mamelodi Sundowns during the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup press conference at TQL Stadium in Cincinnati, USA on 20 June 2025 © Lynne Gleeson/BackpagePix
Mamelodi Sundowns head coach Miguel Cardoso has reacted to being recognised in his homeland after a remarkable debut season in South African football. Cardoso guided the Brazilians to an unprecedented eighth consecutive league title, securing the 2024/25 Betway Premiership crown.
He also led Sundowns to the CAF Champions League final, where they were narrowly beaten by Egyptian giants Pyramids FC. Despite that defeat, Cardoso's achievements have not gone unnoticed in Portugal.
ALSO READ: Sundowns' Ribeiro wins Club World Cup goal of the tournament
Before taking over the reins from Manqoba Mgqithi at Sundowns last December, Cardoso won the Tunisian league with Esperance and also lost in the final of the Champions League to Al Ahly
'It's true that I was also honoured in Portugal. I received a letter from the President of the Portuguese Football Federation, recognising the work I've recently done in Africa,' Cardoso said.
'I was also recognised by the Portuguese Football Coaches Association and awarded the José Maria Pedroto Award which is named after a very important coach in Portugal who managed FC Porto. This award is directly related to the work at Mamelodi Sundowns, including our champions league final qualification and winning the PSL.'
The 53-year-old tactician has been nominated for the PSL Coach of the Season award, alongside Stellenbosch FC's Steve Barker and former Orlando Pirates boss José Riveiro. Reflecting on the campaign, Cardoso highlighted key moments that shaped his successful season.
'I have many fantastic memories that come to mind regarding the first season here in the PSL. I think there are different moments but I can highlight the start which was amazing and difficult but very good in terms of results with important matches that were won immediately against Stellenbosch FC and AmaZulu FC away,' he concluded.
'That gave us the positive energy to gather the souls of everyone together and then I remember the month of January where we scored goal after goal and won matches by big margins. At that moment we sent a powerful statement and I also remember the period after we won against Al Ahly and qualified for the Caf Champions League final.
ALSO READ: I'll not be involved in the running of Siwelele – McKenzie
'We had six matches to play until the end of the season and we recorded six victories in a row with outstanding performances and wonderful football played. For me, memories remain the joy of the people and fans and the joy of playing good football and the joy of players celebrating victories.'
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Ackermann says he's ‘not different, only more streetwise' since his Lions days
Ackermann says he's ‘not different, only more streetwise' since his Lions days

The Citizen

time42 minutes ago

  • The Citizen

Ackermann says he's ‘not different, only more streetwise' since his Lions days

New Bulls coach Johan Ackermann says he is not a different coach, but a more streetwise and experienced one than he was before. New Bulls coach Johan Ackermann said he has become more 'streetwise and experienced,' learning about player management and the value of inclusivity in the seven years since he left the Lions. Ackermann led the Lions to Super Rugby finals in 2016 and 2017 before joining Gloucester and reaching the 2018 Challenge Cup final. He later coached in Japan, guiding Urayasu to Division 1 promotion in 2022, and recently consulted with the Junior Springboks, who won this year's World Championship. While in Japan, he earned the Division 2 Coach of the Year award, adding to his three South African Coach of the Year honours. Ackers learns much overseas Now back in South Africa, Ackermann said he aims to build a healthy, value-driven culture at the Bulls centred on mutual respect, humility, service, and teamwork — getting the best out of players while ensuring they enjoy what they do. 'I wouldn't say different,' he said when asked how he had changed since his Lions tenure. 'Maybe more streetwise, a bit more experienced. A bit more wary of how important it is to include different cultures.' He also highlighted the importance of players understanding the demands of modern rugby, especially extensive travel and adapting to team systems. 'Culture was the big thing [overseas]. You had All Blacks. They wanted a certain style; they wanted to play a certain way. Then you had an English player, then you had a Scottish player… 'So to create that unity and to also put your stamp on it, it took a lot of convincing. You have to really be strong on your principles and how you want to play, and also allow them to have input.' Ackermann balances being fun and being hands-on Ackermann said coaching the Lions was easier due to a fresh group that was more willing to be moulded the way he and Swys de Bruin wanted. At Gloucester and in Japan, he worked with strong personalities and internationals like Liam Gill, Israel Folau, and Greig Laidlaw. 'You have to learn as a coach that sometimes you can learn from them as well. There are good inputs there.' Still, he believes the team's direction must come from the coach. On his current role, he said Phiwe Nomlomo had led the Currie Cup side well and he didn't want to overshadow him. 'It will be a good opportunity for me to be on the back seat… then I can start sharing how I see things.' 'I think to be yourself is the best thing. To bring a bit of dancing and a bit of laughter and a bit of music. Everybody enjoys that, doesn't matter what culture they are.'

Ranked: FIVE best Kaizer Chiefs coaches in the PSL era
Ranked: FIVE best Kaizer Chiefs coaches in the PSL era

The South African

timean hour ago

  • The South African

Ranked: FIVE best Kaizer Chiefs coaches in the PSL era

Kaizer Chiefs have had some great coaches over the past 55 years, but the focus here is on the five best coaches since the inception of the Premier Soccer League (PSL). Only two coaches in the club's history have won the league title within the last 30 years, indicating a lack of consistency. While the club enjoyed success in terms of trophies since their formation, everything changed in 2015 when Stuart Baxter left, leading to a decade without any silverware. The trophy drought came to an end in May when they won the Nedbank Cup. 1. Ted Dumitru The late Romanian coach led Amakhosi to their first PSL league title in the 2003/04 season. Nicknamed 'Master Ted,' Dumitru successfully defended the title the following season in a memorable campaign. During the championship race, Amakhosi managed to overtake the season-long leaders, Orlando Pirates, in the last game of the season. Dumitru was praised for his strategic approach to matches and for inspiring Amakhosi's late-season surge. 2. Muhsin Ertugral Ertugral is one of the most iconic coaches in the PSL era. He won six major trophies during his time at Naturena and is best known for leading 'Operation Vat Alles' in 2001, which saw Chiefs clinch every cup competition in the league. 3. Stuart Baxter Baxter's first tenure saw him win four trophies with Amakhosi, and he became the second coach after Dumitru to win a league title for the team in the PSL era. He left abruptly in 2015 but returned in 2021, although he was unable to replicate the success that saw him guide the Glamour Boys to two doubles. 4. Paul Dolezar Known as 'Mr. Rothmans Cup,' Dolezar claimed three consecutive Rothmans Cups, winning two back-to-back with Chiefs. While he struggled to challenge Mamelodi Sundowns for the league title, many believe that with more time, he could have led the team to a league championship. 5. Ernst Middendorp Mazinyo's first stint with Amakhosi was a mixed experience; he won the Absa Cup and the SAA Super 8. He returned to the club a decade later in 2018 and came close to winning the league. Middendorp is one of the few Kaizer Chiefs coaches to lead the club to a second-place finish in the PSL era. Unfortunately, he was dismissed after losing the title in the final 15 minutes of the season. Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 0211. Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.

Bad news for Chiefs and Pirates as Sundowns steals top target
Bad news for Chiefs and Pirates as Sundowns steals top target

The South African

timean hour ago

  • The South African

Bad news for Chiefs and Pirates as Sundowns steals top target

Orlando Pirates and Kaizer Chiefs are set to lose their top target, Fawaaz Basadien, to Mamelodi Sundowns. The 28-year-old talented left-back was heavily linked to Amakhosi last year, but the Soweto giants fell short of Stellenbosch FC's asking price. In recent weeks, Basadien has been tipped to join Downs before the start of the season. On Thursday, SABC Sport 's Mazole Moloefe announced that the Bafana Bafana defender did not train with Stellies and in fact, watched from the sidelines. 'The public broadcaster has been made aware that the Bafana Bafana international this morning watched the training session from the sidelines, having been part of pre-season under coach Steve Barker in the days prior,' SABC Sport wrote. 'Stellies have been reluctant to sell Basadien for some time now and even offered the player a new long-term contract extension – forcing potential suitors to bid heavy figures to get any deal over the line. 'It's one of the reasons Chiefs could not get their target. 'However, Sundowns, with a reputation of triggering buyout clauses, are believed to have made their intentions clear on Basadien.' Last year, Sundowns purchased Iqraam Rayners and Jayden Adams for significant sums, despite Stellies' firm stance against selling players. With Basadien not training with the team, it seems likely that his departure is imminent. Both Chiefs and Pirates expressed interest in signing the left-back; however, his price tag of R20 million may have been too high for them. Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 0211. Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store