Latest news with #RabatsenaGape
IOL News
17-05-2025
- Sport
- IOL News
Rotation the key for Miguel Cardoso and PSL kings Mamelodi Sundowns ahead of CAF Champions League final
Themba Zwane Captain Themba Zwane was one of the key figures rested by Mamelodi Sundowns against Chippa United. Photo: BackpagePix Image: BackpagePix Mamelodi Sundowns coach Miguel Cardoso has lauded the manner in which his troops showed their determination to wrap up the league title early. Sundowns bagged their record-extending eighth Premiership crown in a row, and 15th overall in the PSL era, after beating Chippa United 3-0 on Wednesday night. While their run looked easy on the eye, it needed Cardoso to be smart in his tactical approach as they have bigger fish to fry in continental football later this month. 🏆 8⃣ 𝙏𝙄𝙈𝙀𝙎 𝙄𝙉 𝘼 𝙍𝙊𝙒 🏆 More records, more history, more titles - Bafana Ba Style are league champions for the 1⃣5⃣th time in the PSL era! #Sundowns #BetwayPrem #RabatsenaGape — Mamelodi Sundowns FC (@Masandawana) May 14, 2025 Video Player is loading. 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Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ Sundowns will face Pyramids in the CAF Champions League final over two legs, eager to return to the top of African football for the first time since 2016. With that clash in mind – the first of which will take place at Loftus Versfeld in Pretoria next Saturday – Cardoso rotated his players and resting others, while tapping in those who were in the fringes for their contributions as well. The match-day troops aced their roles to the tee in their last five games as they've won all those encounters, and kept as many clean sheets and scored 14 goals in the process. Speaking during his post-match media briefing at Buffalo City Stadium after beating Chippa in their penultimate game in East London, Cardoso heaped praise on his players. 'I agree it was important (wrap up the league early), but I think the way the players committed themselves in the last games (was commendable),' Cardoso explained. 'Their need to achieve victories was so wonderful that it brought us results and allowed us to manage players. 'Throughout the last matches, we were not only able to take out players during matches, but leave out some players as well. 'Today, Mali (Khoza), and Aubrey (Modiba) stayed out. We didn't play Themba (Zwane) because the pitch was a little bit risky for playing him. 'In the previous games, Marcelo (Allende) and Grant (Kekana) stayed out. 'So, we are able to manage players throughout the last matches. The compromise to achieve was high!' When Cardoso took over the reins from Manqoba Mngqithi last year, there were concerns about his prowess to defend the title and reach the Champions League final. This stems from the fact that he was the third coach to take over the helm just when the team was starting to acclimatise to the philosophy of Mngqithi. However, the Portuguese-born coach made his detractors eat humble pie as he could very well become the first mentor to win the team their second Africa crown in nine years. Cardoso admits that their journey hasn't been easy due to the quick turnover of matches between domestic and continental football in the past few months. And that's why they've had to use different match-day squads to prepare for the upcoming games, something that requires the rotation of the playing personnel. 'I know that some of you joked a little bit when I said we were preparing for matches in 20 minutes, but it was true,' Cardoso said. 'Our concern is that if we play the way we want you can use the games as a training session, and go from there. 'But of course, when you play badly, you'll get nothing. 'But when you commit yourself to playing good and the way you want, you'll get the best training sessions that you want to do.' We wrap up our #BetwayPrem campaign at home, and one lucky supporter will be driving off in a brand new car! 🔑🔥 ⚽ Mamelodi Sundowns vs Magesi FC 📆 18 May ⏰ 17H30 🏟 Loftus Versfeld Stadium 📺 SS 202 & SABC 1 🎟️: #RabatsenaGape — Mamelodi Sundowns FC (@Masandawana) May 16, 2025 Sundowns will be duly crowned champions when they face Magesi FC in their last league match of the season at Loftus Versfeld tomorrow afternoon (5.30pm kick-off). Cardoso is, again, expected to rest his regulars in the game as he'd have one eye on the Champions League final first leg clash at the same venue on May 24.
TimesLIVE
13-05-2025
- Sport
- TimesLIVE
Sundowns coach Cardoso feels his work not truly appreciated
Mamelodi Sundowns coach Miguel Cardoso has suggested he feels his work at the club since joining the Brazilians in December is not fully always appreciated by the public and media. Downs are on the verge of clinching the Betway Premiership, needing a point in their clash against Chippa United at Buffalo City Stadium in East London on Wednesday. Downs could also be champions if Orlando Pirates drop points against Lamontville Golden Arrows at Orlando Stadium on Tuesday night. 'It's important people recognise what we've done and what we've been doing in this league,' Cardoso said after his team's 3-0 thumping of Stellenbosch FC at Lucas Moripe Stadium on Sunday. 'We took the team to a high, high level. The team isn't only playing fantastically but beating records after records. A dominant display capped with 3 goals, relive the action from our explosive first half. 🎥 #Sundowns #BetwayPrem #RabatsenaGape — Mamelodi Sundowns FC (@Masandawana) May 12, 2025 'Let's give credit to those who deserve it because when I arrived there was suspicion [Cardoso might fail] and now please just respect the work we've been doing.' Cardoso agreed his predecessor, Manqoba Mngqithi, deserves a share of the credit for the imminent title success. Sundowns' coach revealed he paid homage to the former Brazilians coach in person when Downs drew 1-1 against Mngqithi's new team, Arrows, in Durban in early March. 'People are saying I arrived in the middle of the season. No, I didn't arrive in the middle of the season. 'I arrived with only one third of the season played, so with all due respect to coach Manqoba and the work he did, that was important obviously — I think it's clear for everybody to see where we were and where we stand now. 'Obviously, it was important to pick the team from the position [leading the Premiership] they were in [when Cardoso arrived] and that's the credit I give to him [Mngqithi] — and I told him personally when we played him.' Cardoso has won 16 of the 19 Premiership games, with two defeats and a draw, he has been in charge of at Sundowns, after replacing Mngqithi seven games into the league campaign. The Portuguese also has steered Sundowns to the Caf Champions League final, where face Pyramids of Egypt over two legs in Pretoria on May 24 and Cairo on June 1.
IOL News
22-04-2025
- Sport
- IOL News
Dream all-South African Champions League final at risk after Mamelodi Sundowns draw
After Mamelodi Sundowns failed to capitalise on home-ground advantage over the weekend, a dream all-South African CAF Champions League final hangs in the balance. Sundowns and Egypt's record 14-time title holders Al Ahly cancelled each other out in a tense 0-0 draw in the first leg of their CAF Champions League semi-final at Loftus Versfeld Stadium in Pretoria. 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 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. Next Stay Close ✕ The stalemate has set the stage for a thrilling return fixture on Friday night at the Cairo International Stadium (6pm kick-off). Al Ahly are unbeaten at home in the CAF Champions League since 2021, and will fancy their chances of securing a place in the final as they chase a record-extending 15th continental crown. Our Captain with a Message. 👆 Thank you for your incredible support, Masandawana! See you at the next game! 🙌#Sundowns #TotalEnergiesCAFCL #RabatsenaGape — Mamelodi Sundowns FC (@Masandawana) April 20, 2025 On Saturday, both teams demonstrated their tactical prowess, with Sundowns managing only a solitary shot on target. Al Ahly had two goals controversially ruled out for offside after viewing VAR, alongside striking the post. Miguel Cardoso, the Sundowns coach, has maintained a positive outlook despite their first-leg defeat. He said the tie was far from over, and his players have what it takes to perform in challenging conditions. 'I still believe we can beat Al Ahly because we didn't lose to them in this match. There is a lot to be played for still, and we can do that out of belief and capacity for what we can put on the pitch," said Cardoso. 'We are going there and expecting a different match. 'Whoever goes through, the other team will not be happy. But whoever goes through will be strong because these are the two best teams in Africa. 'One will suffer in the end, but I hope we can be strong enough to cope. I believe we can cope, considering how we coped in Tunisia in different conditions. 'We believe in our team and the ability to upset anyone, especially looking ahead to the second leg.' Although he was disappointed with the stalemate, the outcome was a personal triumph for Marcel Koller, who became the first Al Ahly coach to record a clean sheet against the Brazilians in South Africa. After the match, Koller said he was disappointed to see technology deny them a crucial away goal, but admits it was the right call. 'We didn't allow the opponent to control the game. We are fully aware that this match represents only half of the current stage,' said Koller. "There's still another half to be played in Cairo, and we must stay highly focused in the second leg to reach the final. 'Possession is not important if it doesn't lead to any benefit. Al Ahly created several chances, and one of them hit the crossbar. 'We were more dangerous overall. We succeeded in playing with a great organisation.' Koller has sent a clear message to Sundowns for the return fixture. He said Al Ahly will adopt a more aggressive strategy to overturn the current stalemate. 'We know the point (what is required) - we have not scored a goal. In Cairo, we must score two goals. We know that. The Captain Is Here To Stay! 🙌#Sundowns #ZwaneSigns — Mamelodi Sundowns FC (@Masandawana) April 18, 2025 'In the beginning, I said only the halftime is over. We have another halftime of the game, and we should have 100% concentration in Cairo,' said the Swiss-born Koller. But Sundowns will hope that talismanic figure Themba Zwane will inspire them to victory in Cairo.
