Half-time tweaks to 'Yellow Machine' fine-tune Mamelodi Sundowns' performance
Marcelo Allende of Mamelodi Sundowns was the Player of the Match against cape Town City on Saturday. Photo: BackpagePix
Image: BackpagePix
Coach Miguel Cardoso's half-time adjustments to his 'Yellow Machine' proved pivotal in securing a 2–0 Betway Premiership victory over Cape Town City on Saturday at the Cape Town Stadium.
Following a challenging first half — during which Mamelodi Sundowns scored just once despite dominating possession — Cardoso's tactical changes bore fruit after the break, with his side doubling their tally.
Sundowns looked far slicker in the second half, clearly showing Cardoso had instructed a more assertive approach. Sundowns created several more scoring opportunities, though they only managed one additional goal to show for their efforts.
Late in the second half, Cardoso made five substitutions in quick succession, drawing a rousing cheer from the Yellow Nation for fan favourite Themba Zwane, who came on to replace first-half scorer Iqraam Rayners.
Saturday's result moves Sundowns tantalisingly close to an eighth consecutive Betway Premiership title — a remarkable testament to their dominance in South African football. Cardoso expressed his satisfaction with the quality of the performance.
'Amazing, and again a very good performance. Not an easy game because the first half was quite tricky,' said Cardoso.
'We had to correct our positioning at half-time, and it was well received. In the second half, I think we coped even better, and what followed were beautiful goals and a strong display.'
'The boys are fighting so hard for what they want — the title. We are committed to every match, and now it's on to the next one, and the next. We'll try to get it.
'We need to respect everyone, because the next opponent, Chippa United, will again be tough.'
Video Player is loading.
Play Video
Play
Unmute
Current Time
0:00
/
Duration
-:-
Loaded :
0%
Stream Type LIVE
Seek to live, currently behind live
LIVE
Remaining Time
-
0:00
This is a modal window.
Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window.
Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan
Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan
Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan
Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque
Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps
Reset
restore all settings to the default values Done
Close Modal Dialog
End of dialog window.
Advertisement
Next
Stay
Close ✕
Mamelodi Sundowns head coach Miguel Cardoso. Photo: BackpagePix
Image: Backpagepix
Cardoso credited the heart of Sundowns' performances to team spirit and humility. He highlighted 'Player of the Match' Marcelo Allende as an embodiment of the squad's synergy.
'I think we are a humble team. Humility is not a bad value — though not too much of it,' said Cardoso.
'If it's excessive, of course it's not right. But having it in the right sense, understanding the step-by-step, is how you build a career — by working hard.
'That's what my boys are doing, and Marcelo is one of them. He is a high-quality player, but it's beautiful to see how they all remain humble.
'I'm a very proud coach — proud of the club where I work, proud of the family that supports this club. I'm proud of the values we cultivate, and also proud of the work of the boys and my staff.'
Best 12th man in the world and we heard you from the first minute to the last 👏
Your support does not go unnoticed 💙#iamCityFC pic.twitter.com/cWQjonxTu1 — Cape Town City FC (@CapeTownCityFC) May 4, 2025
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The South African
34 minutes ago
- The South African
'Brighton coach favoured Trossard'
Former Al Ahly striker Percy Tau has explained his decision to leave Brighton and Hove Albion. The 31-year-old joined The Seagulls in 2018, but due to work permit complications, he was loaned out to Belgian side Union SG for a year. Following that, he had successful loan spells at Club Brugge and Anderlecht before finally making his debut for Brighton in 2021. However, Tau only made six appearances for Brighton before leaving for Al Ahly later that same year. Speaking to Robert Marawa on Radio 94.7 , Tau expressed that he felt his former coach, Graham Potter, did not give him a fair chance. 'We feel like it's a league where you can go and test yourself,' he said. 'And what it also requires is a lot of hard work because there's not much training in the Premier League. The games are more intense, so there's a lot of recovery, which is something that affected me when I was there. 'I'm a guy who prefers training because that's where I prove myself, and then I find that we play on a Saturday, off Sunday, off Monday, then we train on a Tuesday and we're off on a Wednesday, Thursday, then play. Tau mentioned how it was difficult for him to feature as Brighton were fighting relegation at the time. 'It was frustrating and I spoke to the coach many times, telling him that I wanted to play. He will say to me, 'but [Leandro] Trossard is doing well' and I said, 'yes, he is doing well because he is getting so many opportunities' Tau said he asked the former Brighton coach to play him more to impress. 'The following season, I stayed; I did not go to the Olympics. I tried to impress the coach and I did well in the friendlies,' he said. The former Mamelodi Sundowns player featured for Brighton in most of their friendly pre-season matches; however, he was benched when the season started. Potter's decision to play Trossard ahead of Tau forced the 'Lion of Judah' to leave Brighton for Al Ahly. Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1 Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
IOL News
2 hours ago
- IOL News
Lorch, Mailula and Mokwana ready to hoist the SA flag at Fifa Club World Cup
Thembinkosi Lorch in action for Wydad Casablanca, where his stand-out performances in March earned him the Player of the Month award. Photo: Instagram/@WACofficiel Image: Instagram/@WACofficiel The FIFA Club World Cup is the ultimate tournament for interclub football as it is played by the best teams from across the world. South Africa will be well represented in the upcoming event in the US after Mamelodi Sundowns' qualification. However, there'll be other South African representatives from two other African giants, Wydad Casablanca and Esperance, who'll be competing at the event. Thembinkosi Lorch - Wydad Casablanca Lorch has grabbed the lifeline that was offered to him by Wydad with both hands as he's put his best foot forward since he arrived at the club last season. He was not able to help the team finish in the Top 2 on the log and qualify for the Champions League next season as they could only claim a Confederation Cup spot. Nevertheless, he had a memorable season, so much so that he was voted as the club's Player of the Month for March. Having been brought to the club by native coach Rulani Mokwena through a loan deal from Mameodi Sundowns, the duo showed great belief in each other. As such, when Mokwena was sacked towards the end of the season, the future and impressive outing of Lorch at the club remained unclear. But Lorch has taken Mokwena's departure in good faith, continuing to be at his best with his skill-set. And that's why it's been reported that Wydad wants to sign him permanently. Cassius Mailula - Wydad Casablanca When Mailula joined Major League Soccer (MLS) side Toronto two seasons ago, Bafana Bafana coach Hugo Broos said that move wouldn't benefit his career. And that proved to be the case - Mailula was demoted from the first team and sent to train with the reserve side, which took him backwards. But when Mokwena signed him for Wydad at the start of the season, Mailula rediscovered his mojo, scoring five goals and registering seven assists in 33 games. His ability to bounce back to his old self, scoring goals and putting his skill-set to good use, has made him a fan-favourite among the Wydad supporters. As such, when he lost his mother recently, he received outpouring support from both the fans of the club and football fraternity at large. With his loan spell at Wydad coming to an end after the World Cup, the 24-year-old is highly expected to make his move permanent, especially given his recent exploits. Elias Mokwana - Esperance There are few players that come as speedy as Mokwana in continental football, and that's why he was able to be head and shoulders above most players in Tunisia. He made his mark, taking on markers, en route to winning a domestic treble with Esperance, including the championship after the end of the season. Mokwana had said before his move that he was keen to join childhood club Kaizer Chiefs, but the negotiations fell at the final hurdle. Mokwana cannot afford to sulk and moan around - he must wear his heart on his sleeve as long as he's still contracted to Esperance going forward. Esperance like the other three African representatives - Sundowns, Wydad and Al Ahly - in the US will be underdogs in America, but individual performances will not go unnoticed. Mokwana has to be at his best with every passing game and tournament as that'll aid his chances of being called-up for Bafana for the World Cup qualifiers and Afcon finals.
The Citizen
2 hours ago
- The Citizen
OPINION: Al-Ahly and Sundowns face defining CWC Campaigns
Al-Ahly coach José Riveiro and his Sundowns counterpart Miguel Cardoso will be under immense pressure to prove their worth. Jose Riveiro, former head coach of Orlando Pirates and Mamelodi Sundowns coach Miguel Cardoso during the Betway Premiership match at FNB Stadium on March 16, 2025 in Johannesburg, South Africa. (Photo by Lefty Shivambu/Gallo Images) African football will be under the spotlight at the upcoming FIFA Club World Cup, with four clubs, Al Ahly (Egypt), Mamelodi Sundowns (South Africa), Wydad Casablanca (Morocco), and Esperance (Tunisia) set to fly the flag for the continent. It's not just about participation anymore. The pressure is firmly on these sides to compete, deliver results, and change global perceptions. ALSO READ: Percy Tau on what Kaizer Chiefs must pay to sign him All eyes will be on the touchline, where Al-Ahly coach José Riveiro and his Sundowns counterpart Miguel Cardoso will be under immense pressure to prove their worth. Both are leading teams with lofty expectations and unforgiving fanbases. And while every manager at the Club World Cup has something to prove, few will be judged as harshly as these two. Riveiro, a former Orlando Pirates boss, has already described Ahly as 'almost a European team'. That statement alone sets the bar. The Cairo giants are not strangers to this tournament, having earned four bronze medals (2006, 2020, 2021, 2023). With Inter Miami, Porto, and Palmeiras awaiting in Group A, Al Ahly's path will be tough, but this is a club built for big stages. A group exit would be seen as failure. At the very least, a knockout spot is expected. Cardoso's task is no easier as the Brazilians are coming off a bitterly disappointing CAF Champions League final loss to Pyramids FC. That result has left fans demanding both redemption and a return to the attacking football the club is known for. In Group B, Sundowns face Ulsan HD, Borussia Dortmund, and Fluminense. It's not a kind draw, but with the depth and experience in their squad, failure to compete would raise serious questions of Cardoso's credentials. For both coaches, this tournament could double as an audition to keep their jobs. Expectations are sky-high, and anything short of a strong showing may just result in changes at the top. Success is not just about results at these two African heavyweights because attractive football does matter Wydad Casablanca and Esperance, while slightly less scrutinised, carry the same burden of representing African football on the global stage. Morocco's World Cup semi-final run in 2022 shattered old stereotypes and proved that African teams can match the best in the world. Club sides now have a similar responsibility and that's to compete with pride and show the immense talent the continent has to offer Gone are the days when African clubs travelled to the global showpieces just to make up the numbers. The gap between the so-called giants and Africa's best is shrinking. This tournament is a golden opportunity to prove it. ALSO READ: Maema tight-lipped on future after making Sundowns Club World Cup squad The narrative is shifting. African fans no longer hope for miracles, but they expect progress. The whole African continent will be watching Ahly and Sundowns with keen interest. This could prove a defining moment, not only for their global standing but also for the futures of their respective head coaches.
