Mamelodi Sundowns head coach Miguel Cardoso has given credit to his predecessor Manqoba Mngqithi but says there was still plenty to be done, having arrived one third into the 2024/25 season.
Sundowns have all but wrapped up a eighth successive league title and are in the CAF Champions League final – ahead of the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup in the United States of America next month.
It could go down as one of the most iconic seasons for the Brazilians who have continued their trend of breaking Premier Soccer League records, having now scored 60 goals in just 26 league games.
“It was not in the middle of the season because say I arrived in the middle of the season but no I didn’t, it was one third of the season played, so with all respect to coach Manqoba and the work he did, it was important and it’s clear where we were and where we stand,” he said.
“And where we’re going to finish, so credit to my players, for the club, for management, it was obvious to beat the team – with the position the team had, and that’s the credit, and I will give it personally, because I told him that when we played against him… where the team was.
“But it’s clear with the job done by my staff, myself and everyone together, it’s important that people recognise what we’ve done, what we’ve been doing in this league, we have taken this team to a high level – not only playing fantastically but beating records.
“It’s goals scored, goals not conceded, the points – so I think it’s wonderful but still two matches to play and my focus is finishing the season in the right way, we should mark this season as best as possible, and be honest in the next two matches, it’s a big responsibility.”
Check out the upcoming Betway Premiership fixtures and the updated log in our match centre.
Cardoso emphasised their was plenty to be done, with the 3-0 win over Stellenbosch his 19th league game, while they were also without a win in the Group Stages of the Champions League upon his arrival after two games.
“More than that? [I prefer] to leave it in that moment until we really become champions because in the moment there’s no time for that, we need to really focus ourselves in what we have to do… not change the whole team, there’s images people will take from that,” he continued.
“My focus is preparing the team in the best way to play the last two matches, then we make the balance in the end – let’s give credit to who deserves it.
“There were sceptics when I arrived, now we must respect the work that was done, my players, management, not only coaches, medical staff, kit men, marketing, media, sporting directors, there’s a big team around, so let’s wait for the end [of the league], it’s clear we’re in a good position [to win].”
