Miguel Cardoso defends Mamelodi Sundowns’ woes in cup competitions | OneFootball

Interview

Cardoso dismisses claims of Downs struggles in cup competitions

Photo: Chris Brunskill/ Getty Images

Mamelodi Sundowns coach Miguel Cardoso has shrugged off claims that the Brazilians are not lethal in cup competitions as they are in the league, having won the championship for a record-extending eight times in a row.

Masandawana are currently on a long-standing drought for a domestic cup title , with their last triumph dating back to the 2021/22 season, where they clinched a record-breaking treble, including the MTN8 and the Nedbank Cup under the dual mentorship of Rulani Mokwena and Manqoba Mngqithi.

Since then, the Tshwane giants have somewhat of a cup hoodoo, as they lost the MTN8 and Nedbank Cup final to Jose Riveiro’s Orlando Pirates, both in the 2023/24 season. Furthermore, Sundowns were stunned by newly promoted Magesi FC in the Carling Knockout Cup final last season.

However, the Portuguese mentor dismissed the suggestions of a struggle in knockout competitions, highlighting that Sundowns knocked out continental juggernauts en route to the CAF Champions League final last season.

“Last season in the Champions League, we knocked out the two finalists from the competition. Mamelodi Sundowns knocked out both finalists from the previous season, unfortunately one of them [finalists] was me [with Esperance de Tunis],” said Cardoso.

“So, since I arrived at Sundowns I cannot really speak about that, and I don’t want to remind anyone about what happened in the semi-final of the Nedbank Cup last season – I don’t want to do that. So, let’s see, let the best win and I hope the best will be Mamelodi Sundowns, that’s what I expect.

Sundowns will face Pirates in the first leg of the MTN8 semi-final at a packed Orlando Stadium on Saturday afternoon. Cardoso’s men will be hoping to secure a favorable result for the second leg penciled in for Saturday, 23 August at Lucas Moripe Stadium in the capital.