Miguel Cardoso: Mamelodi Sundowns Coach Delivers Defiant Message on Betway Premiership Title Race

• Miguel Cardoso comments after Mamelodi Sundowns sweep past Siwelele FC in the Betway Premiership on Saturday afternoon
• Brayan Leon delivered another world-class performance for the Pretoria giants against Siwelele at the Lucas Masterpieces Moripe Stadium
• The Portuguese manager is still of the opinion that the defending champions can retain the title this season amid pressure from Orlando Pirates

Miguel Cardoso has delivered a strong message after Mamelodi Sundowns pulled up a top-class performance in their Betway Premiership fixture against Siwelele FC at the Lucas Masterpieces Moripe Stadium on Saturday, May 9, 2026.

The Brazilians thrashed their counterparts 7–4, with January signing Brayan Leon finding the back of the net three times, with Tashreeq Matthews grabbing a brace and Teboho Mokoena also on the scoresheet.

An own goal from Nyiko Mobbie completed the defending champions' seven goals. However, Siwelele matched the chaos with resistance of their own, as Ghamphani Lungu struck three times, including from the penalty spot, while Mokhuoane added another to ensure a wildly open contest in Pretoria.

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Cardoso's strong message after win over Siwelele

Although the result moved Sundowns closer to the league title, Cardoso stressed that conceding four goals was unacceptable, regardless of their attacking output.

He noted that one of the goals ruled out might have been legitimate, but emphasised that such high-risk, high-intensity football inevitably exposes a team defensively.

Cardoso explained that while his players were clearly committed to attacking relentlessly, a scoreline of that magnitude only carries full merit if defensive control matches the attacking dominance.

He added that scoring seven or more goals loses its impact if the team still concedes four, arguing that in such circumstances, the performance is no different from a more modest win, as the defensive structure failed to contain the opposition’s threat. He also acknowledged that the team’s shape suffered due to a lack of balance.

Even so, the Portuguese coach remained pragmatic, highlighting the importance of the three points in the context of the title race. Sundowns stay top of the Betway Premiership with 65 points from 28 games, holding a three-point cushion, and are now just one win away from securing the championship.

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Cardoso speaks on what Sundowns' focus is

Cardoso described the victory as crucial, noting that the league title is effectively within reach, but insisted the focus remains on finishing the job in the final match.

He also spoke about the demanding schedule facing his squad, explaining that fixture congestion from domestic and continental competitions forced him to make substitutions that disrupted the team’s rhythm at a key moment.

According to him, several players were already operating at their physical limit, and the team’s intensity dipped after the changes, especially with another match coming in just a few days, followed closely by a CAF Champions League fixture after the TS Galaxy encounter.

Cardoso further revealed ongoing injury concerns within the squad, pointing out that Matthews is managing a delicate physical condition, while Leon and Arthur Sales are still recovering from muscle-related issues.

He admitted the squad is dealing with numerous unseen challenges, from injuries to fatigue and a relentless fixture schedule, but insisted the group continues to push through adversity.

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With one league game remaining and a CAF Champions League final already secured after a 2–0 aggregate win over Esperance in the semi-finals, Sundowns remain on course for a potential historic double.

Cardoso slams ref after Kaizer Chiefs draw

Briefly News earlier reported that Cardoso hit out at the referee in charge of the Mamelodi Sundowns clash against Kaizer Chiefs in their Betway Premiership fixture against Kaizer Chiefs.

The Pretoria giants dropped two crucial points in the title race with Orlando Pirates, and the Portuguese tactician was not happy with the officiating at the end of the match.

Source: Briefly News