Pressure Mounts on Miguel Cardoso After Mamelodi Sundowns' Carling Knockout Exit

Pressure Mounts on Miguel Cardoso After Mamelodi Sundowns' Carling Knockout Exit

  • Mamelodi Sundowns head coach Miguel Cardoso is under pressure after the Brazilians were knocked out of the Carling Knockout Cup over the weekend
  • The Portuguese tactician has faced several criticisms since the start of this season, but the defeat against Marumo Gallants increased the heat on him
  • A sports journalist, while speaking to Briefly News, explained why the European mentor should be sacked

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Mamelodi Sundowns have suffered a surprising exit from the Carling Knockout Cup after being defeated by Marumo Gallants in the first round of the competition.

Mamelodi Sundowns, FIFA Club World Cup, Fluminense.
Mamelodi Sundowns stars pose for a picture ahead of the FIFA Club World Cup 2025 Group F football match between Masandawana and Fluminense. Photo: Chandan Khanna
Source: Getty Images

The Brazilians finished as runners-up last season, losing in the final to Magesi FC, but they failed to perform better this campaign as they crashed out of the tournament very early.

A sports journalist, who decided not to include Sundowns in the list of favourite clubs to win the competition, has offered a piece of advice to Masandawana over their coach, Miguel Cardoso.

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Pressure Mounts on Cardoso at Sundowns

Uche Anuma, when airing his thoughts on Sundowns' exit from the Carling Knockout in a chat with Briefly News, claimed that the pressure is now on Miguel Cardoso.

He explained why this performance against Marumo Gallants can cost him his job and why the club management would be justified in terminating his contract.

"Mamelodi Sundowns have not had a good cup performance for some seasons now, and the pressure will definitely be on Miguel Cardoso after that surprising defeat against Marumo Gallants," he said.
"I think he has started so badly this season when we are comparing Sundowns' level to other mid-table clubs; Cardoso should be performing better than this.
"Losing to Marumo Gallants on penalties or not, that's not what's expected from a club as big as Mamelodi Sundowns, and they were playing at home again.
"I don't think there would be so much uproar if the club management decided to part ways with Cardoso after this match. It's been long overdue if we are being honest. Manqoba Mngqithi was sacked for losing in the final of this same competition, even while he was doing well in the Betway Premiership."

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Anuma then shared his thoughts on what Mamelodi Sundowns should do next, following their disappointing loss to Marumo Gallants.

"In my personal opinion, Cardoso should be sacked, with the squad resuming under another coach after the international break," he added.
"Losing to Marumo Gallants is the final straw for me. Is it when they fail to qualify for the CAF Champions League group stage that the management would wake up?
"I have seen Sundowns' supporters' reactions since the start of the season. Many of them want him gone, and I think this is the perfect moment for the club to grant the fans their wish."
Miguel Cardoso, Mamelodi Sundowns, Carling Knockout Cup.
Mamelodi Sundowns told to relief Miguel Cardoso of his dutie after Carling Knockout Cup exit. Photo: Marcio Machado
Source: Getty Images

Mamelodi Sundowns' next match after the international break would be the first leg of the CAF Champions League preliminary round against Nigeria's Remo Stars, before resuming league fixture against Sekhukhune United.

Cardoso reacts to Sundowns' loss to Gallants

Briefly News also reported that Miguel Cardoso reacted to Mamelodi Sundowns' defeat against Marumo Gallants in the Carling Knockout Cup.

The former Esperance of Tunisia head coach also shared his thoughts on the club's new signing getting a red card on his debut in the match.

Source: Briefly News

Authors:
Raphael Abiola avatar

Raphael Abiola (Sports editor) Raphael Abiola is a Nigerian Sports Journalist with over seven years of experience. He obtained a B.Tech degree in Computer Science from the Federal University of Technology, Akure, in 2015. Raphael previously worked as a football editor at Stakegains (2016-2018) and a content editor with Opera News Nigeria (2018-2023). Raphael then worked as an Editor for the Local Desk at Sports Brief (2023-2024). Reach him via email at raphael.abiola@sportsbrief.com.