Miguel Cardoso determined to break Mamelodi Sundowns’ cup hoodoo | OneFootball

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Cardoso set sights on cup glory with Sundowns

Photo: Zakes Photography

Mamelodi Sundowns coach Miguel Cardoso has set sights on breaking the Tshwane giants’ long-standing domestic cup hoodoo ahead of the second leg of their MTN8 semi-final clash against Orlando Pirates on Saturday (15h00).

The two South African giants will lock horns at the Lucas Moripe Stadium after playing to a one-all draw in Soweto, with newly signed Kamogelo Sebelebele cancelling out Teboho Mokoena’s bullet header into Sipho Chaine’s net.

With the Brazilians last tasting domestic cup glory in the 2021/22 season under the dual tutelage of Rulani Mokwena and Manqoba Mngithi, the Portuguese mentor acknowledges the importance of clinching the MTN8.

“Obviously it’s important to win cups because for a club of Mamelodi Sundowns [stature] it’s important to be in all decision moments in all the competitions. Me and the players of course feel that there is energy for this competition, of course it’s the start of the season,” said Cardoso.

“Obviously it states the beginning, and everybody likes to give a first step forward, let’s say brings energy, brings dynamic.

While the Soweto giants have lifted the trophy for three seasons in a row under Spanish tactician Jose Riveiro, beating Masandawana in one of the finals, Cardoso says the results of the previous knockout matches against Pirates won’t affect the outcome of the looming titanic encounter.

“For the players, for me, and for the club, this cup is important because it’s the next competition that will finish, let’s say, and we have to look at it in that way – it’s the next one that will finish in not a long time. So, we have to finish it in the best way possible,” he added.

“We don’t relate exactly with the past; we relate with the ambitions that we try to keep high as much as possible inside the club and considering that we have the next match as the important one always in our thoughts – let’s hope we face it.

“If we do It the right way, we have the right to play the final. If we don’t do it the right way or not on the limits, we will not get that right.