Mamelodi Sundowns coach Miguel Cardoso has outlined the difference between Northern- and Southern African football, saying they are both passionate environments though he likes the atmosphere in the North more.
Cardoso worked at ES Tunis in 2024 where he led the side to the CAF Champions League final before leaving and later joining Sundowns. The Portuguese mentor has spent two seasons with Masandawana where he won the Betway Premiership title and reached the final of the continental tournament in his first term.
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But he went on to secure the side’s second Champions League title in 2026. Both deciding legs of the two finals with the Brazilians were played in the North.
Cardoso was speaking on The Pitchside Podcast where he was reflecting on the recently concluded campaign and confessed that he loves the aggression in the North and their approach to playing the Champions League but also appreciates the warmth he has received in the South.
“Look, it’s both passionate. Both environments are amazing in terms of fans,” said Cardoso.
“Absolutely different and I enjoyed up there, I have to confess, because I like the aggressive side of the game itself. I like that. I like to be under pressure by the aggressivity that is put on everybody.
“But I like so much the love that you receive from the first minute until the end, when you are in South Africa and with our fans.
“The biggest difference is that the button of on up there, is always as soon as the referee whistles. So the players are always on that mode, especially on the Champions League competition.
“Here we also could develop that attitude and I think that now we have that on mode also on the Champions League, and that was very clear, especially in the semi-final and the final, and knowing how to play Champions League is very, very important.
“Champions League is a very particular competition. There’s a way to play it. It’s not a matter of not always being beautiful, because it can always be beautiful.
“But it’s a capacity of overcoming difficulties, the capacity to understand how to play against different teams, and be always committed with the details, because details will make you pay or make you win.”