Miguel Cardoso makes passionate plea to Sundowns supporters | OneFootball

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Cardoso makes plea to Downs faithful

Photo: Lefty Shivambu/ Gallo Images

Mamelodi Sundowns head coach Miguel Cardoso has made an impassioned plea to the Masandawana faithful ahead of the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) break.

The Tshwane giants were held to a draw by Siwelele in their penultimate match of 2025, and as a result failed to reclaim the top spot in the Betway Premiership, much to the frustration of the club's supporters, who claim the Portuguese tactician plays pragmatic football.

Furthermore, the Downs mentor has been blamed for the club's reduced number of players in Bafana Bafana's final AFCON squad, as The Brazilians' contingent adds up to five players in contrast to 10 during the last edition in Ivory Coast.

Now, Cardoso says the lack of Sundowns dominance in the national team is down to injuries suffered by Bafana internationals and implored the supporters to have an understanding of the situation.

“I would like to give my best wishes to the national team of South Africa and I would like that, especially the Masandawana family, could understand that unfortunately in the last two or three months we had many players that had several injuries - long [term] injuries,” he said.

"Themba Zwane, Thapelo Morena, Fawaaz Basadien, and Mali Khoza. So, players that obviously were national team players and probably because of that also, they were not even able to be part of the thoughts of our national team coach.

"But we coaches of Mamelodi Sundowns, and now I speak in the name of the players of Mamelodi Sundowns, we respect, we totally support and we are on the side of the national team of South Africa - we wish them the best on the AFCON.

Bafana are in Group B alongside neighbors Zimbabwe, Angola and the record seven-time African champions Egypt, with the continental showpiece set to commence on 21 December.