Miguel Cardoso Praises Mamelodi Sundowns’ Resilience as They Extend Lead Over Orlando Pirates

Miguel Cardoso has expressed his delight after Mamelodi Sundowns secured a crucial 3-1 victory over Marumo Gallants, extending their lead at the top of the Premier Soccer League table. The win on Wednesday night saw Masandawana recover from a goal down to strengthen their title charge, now sitting 12 points ahead of second-placed Orlando Pirates.

A Commanding Lead in the Title Race

Following the victory, the Portuguese tactician was full of praise for his players and the spirit they displayed in turning the game around. With Pirates having three games in hand, Cardoso remains focused but is pleased with the cushion his team has built at the summit.

“That’s fantastic,” he said. “It means that the team has the right spirit, it means the team has the capacity to overcome the difficulty the matches can have. We played a wonderful first half, maybe not our best yet, but it was high intensity, aggressive, and well-structured.”

Sundowns’ ability to control the game despite conceding first was key to their triumph, showing their resilience and winning mentality.

Cardoso’s Halftime Message

At halftime, Sundowns trailed 1-0, but Cardoso maintained his belief in the team’s ability to turn the match around. His message to the players was simple yet effective.

“What I said to the boys at halftime was very simple and very clear; just keep going and going,” he revealed. “I knew that the game could become emotional, and it was important to manage that properly. After we scored the first goal, we lost ourselves a little because of the anxiety to get the second, but we stayed disciplined.”

‘The Nail Could Be Big, But the Hammer is Stronger’

Using an interesting analogy, Cardoso emphasized the team’s mental strength, comparing their approach to hammering in a nail.

“I told them that the nail could be big, but the hammer would be stronger to put it in the wood. We showed that by taking control of the game completely.”

His words clearly resonated with the players, as they responded with a dominant second-half performance to seal all three points.

Onyango’s Surprise Start Over Williams

One of the surprising selections on the night was the inclusion of veteran goalkeeper Denis Onyango ahead of first-choice Ronwen Williams. However, Onyango’s game ended with a red card after picking up two yellow cards.

Cardoso explained the decision: “Ronwen is our first-choice goalkeeper, but Dennis has been at a good level. On Wednesday, he made a wonderful save from a dangerous header. Unfortunately, he got the red card, which affects us because we don’t know what will happen in the next game. However, we have options with Jody February, Sanele Tshabalala, and Reyaad Pieterse ready to step up if needed.”

Next Up: A Chance for Revenge Against TS Galaxy

Sundowns will next face TS Galaxy on Saturday at the Lucas Masterpieces Moripe Stadium. The last time the two teams met, the Rockets inflicted a rare defeat on Masandawana, winning 1-0 in the league. Cardoso’s men will be eager to avenge that loss and further tighten their grip on the PSL title.

With momentum on their side and a growing lead, Mamelodi Sundowns look set to march toward another league triumph under Cardoso’s guidance. The challenge now will be to maintain their dominance as the season progresses.