Miguel Cardoso Slams Officiating After Nedbank Cup Exit, Urges Sponsors to Fund VAR

Mamelodi Sundowns head coach Miguel Cardoso did not mince his words following his side’s controversial 2-1 loss to Kaizer Chiefs in the semi-finals of the Nedbank Cup at Loftus Stadium on Sunday evening. The Portuguese tactician arrived at the post-match press conference armed with evidence on his cellphone, determined to highlight what he described as a blatant officiating error that cost his team a place in the final.

Sundowns had taken the lead in the first half and looked poised to book their spot in the showpiece event. But their hopes were dashed in the dying minutes of regulation time when Ashley du Preez netted the winner for Amakhosi—a goal Cardoso insists should never have stood.

“It’s obvious that it comes a goal that is offside. I think you all saw. If you didn’t see, go back and look at it because it’s clear, clear, clear,” Cardoso asserted, showing the footage on his phone. “When we work in a country that does not have VAR, that’s what happens. Get the images from the TV and that’s a team that loses the competition out of a mistake from the referee.”

The Sundowns coach, who has already voiced concerns over refereeing decisions earlier in the season, suggested that Sunday’s officiating blunder was the final straw.

“I think we’ve been penalised enough for the season regarding referee mistakes. I remember goals that we scored in games we also didn’t win and today we are out of the competition from a goal that is offside,” he said.

Despite the frustration, Cardoso remained composed and emphasized unity within the team: “It is what it is. We need to stand up. We win together, we lose together. Yes, we should have done more.”

The coach also used the moment to call on tournament sponsors to consider funding Video Assistant Referee (VAR) technology, at least for the knockout stages of major competitions.

“Maybe our sponsors can in the future provide, in the semi-finals, VAR so that there is more fair game played because it’s important in this stage of the competition. I remember last year in Tunisia, the first phase of the championship had no VAR, but then the play-offs, all matches had VAR. This is fair for football.”

Cardoso concluded with a heartfelt message about the impact such decisions have on players and teams: “Sometimes decisions are made on people’s lives because of a mistake that has nothing to do with us. We were doing our job, so what can I tell my players now? We lost because there is a big mistake. But we will rise, of course.”

With their Nedbank Cup campaign now over, Sundowns must quickly refocus as they prepare for a blockbuster CAF Champions League semi-final clash against Egyptian giants Al Ahly. The first leg is set for Friday at Loftus Stadium—an opportunity for redemption on the continental stage.