Wayne Arendse Backs Miguel Cardoso to Stay at Sundowns Despite CAF Final Defeat

Former Mamelodi Sundowns defender Wayne Arendse has thrown his support behind head coach Miguel Cardoso amid growing criticism from fans following the team’s 2-0 loss to Pyramids FC in the CAF Champions League final.

Cardoso’s future at the club has come under scrutiny after his controversial decision to substitute in striker Lebo Mothiba ahead of fan-favorite Themba Zwane during the second half of the final played in Egypt on Sunday. The move sparked a backlash from a section of supporters who felt Zwane’s creativity was sorely missed in a game where Sundowns struggled to break down the Egyptian outfit.

However, Arendse, a 2016 CAF Champions League winner with the Brazilians, has defended Cardoso, arguing that the coach made a tactical decision that simply didn’t pay off. He believes public opinion would have shifted drastically had Mothiba scored his late chance from a corner kick.

“The defeat on Sunday was disappointing, to be honest, because Sundowns always had the potential to score,” Arendse told KickOff. “I knew they were going to score; it’s just that they conceded two goals. Conceding those goals ultimately cost us the match. It’s something the club must learn from.”

The veteran defender added that finals are rarely about aesthetics and are instead about getting the job done. He emphasized that Cardoso’s decision to bring on Mothiba made tactical sense considering the striker’s aerial strength.

“There’s no pretty football in a cup final, but I’m sure Sundowns have learned from this experience. The coach made a decision, and I respect that. He brought on what was needed at the time, which was a striker with aerial ability, and he chose to bring in Mothiba,” Arendse explained.

“Mothiba had a chance from a corner, and if he had scored, everybody would have praised Coach Cardoso as a genius. It would have been a different story.”

Arendse went on to highlight the team’s progress under Cardoso, noting that Sundowns improved on their semi-final finish from the previous season by reaching the final this year. Despite falling short, he believes the club is moving in the right direction under the Portuguese tactician.

“It’s a coach’s decision; it could have gone either way. All I’m saying is that it’s his decision. I think there has been progress since last year when they were eliminated in the semi-finals. They’ve taken a step forward this year by reaching the final. Although the victory was within reach, I don’t think the coach should be fired. I believe he deserves another chance.”

While the pain of missing out on continental glory lingers for Sundowns supporters, Arendse’s endorsement may serve as a reminder that building a title-winning team is a process. As the dust settles on a hard-fought CAF Champions League campaign, the club will now have to decide whether to stick with Cardoso for the next chapter or give in to mounting pressure for change.