Mamelodi Sundowns coach Miguel Cardoso reacts during their Betway Premiership clash against Kaizer Chiefs at the Lucas 'Masterieces' Moripa Stadium.
Image: Itemeleng English Independent Media
Miguel Cardoso tries to be as clever as possible. And that’s why he tries to be as equally open-minded when he’s planning for the game both ahead and during the match.
Cardoso has masterminded Mamelodi Sundowns to an impressive 18-point lead at the top of the Betway Premiership log after 20 games. And while Orlando Pirates could trim that gap to six points if they win their four games in hand, it seems all but inevitable that Sundowns will rule the land yet again.
Cardoso might have not started the season with the Brazilians, but the fact he’ll oversee most of the club's games means that he will be see as the brains behind their now probable eighth title in succession.
The 52-year-old has already made his naysayers eat humble pie with his impressive stint at the club so far, having been initially criticised for an underwhelming CV. Cardoso's impressive stint includes beating both Soweto giants Orlando Pirates 4-1 and Kaizer Chiefs 1-0 in the league in a space of a month.
His approach in both games were different. He had his best players against Pirates, and his team dominated the game from start to finish. But thanks to a string of forseen and unforseen circumstances, such as fatigue and injuries, Cardoso had a largely makeshift defence against Chiefs. He was, therefore, cautious in his approach, but still won the game.
“I am a coach that makes a great effort to try to be clever,” said the Portugal-born coach, after the win over Chiefs in Atteridgeville on Saturday.
“There’s always proactivity in the way you approach the match. There’s a way that you approach a match that has to do with the way you want your team to play. And then there are smaller adjustments that you want to pass to your players that might happen due to the game and style of game you face.”
Sure, Cardoso is the brains behind Sundowns’ stranglehold, but he admits that if it wasn’t for the quality of the players at his disposal some of his operations couldn’t have succeeded.
“I also think I must help the players as much as I can. But I don’t think I always do it so well because I am a man and I also make mistakes,” Cardoso admitted.
“Most of the time, the players work hard not to expose my mistakes. And this is fantastic when you have a team like that.
“At half-time (against Chiefs), I told them ‘as a team’. We are going to go till the end but as a team. Let’s understand the moments, let’s be together and everyone that comes in must give their best.
“That spirit and commitment is wonderful to see. We need to have a strong commitment to overcome the difficulties that we have.”
Sundowns’ players need to continue with their commitment by not allowing their feet to give in during the hectic schedule that the team has faced and will continue to.
“As you know, on Wednesday, we play again, and then on Saturday. And the week after it is the same cycle again,” Cardoso said.
“Our players after that – probably 14 of them – will go to the national teams and will continue to play matches.”
Cardoso has aired his grievances about their inhumane schedule, but argues that they can’t just sulk and moan around. They still need to grind out for the results, regardless.
“Sometimes you’ll have matches like these. It’s not possible to have an orchestra and play violin all the time. Sometimes you must hold the violin, and play some drums,” he reasoned
“We need to adjust. And having your own orchestra that can fill in the different moments that the game is your own way to make music. In the end we must win!”