Cardoso on brink of turning detractors into admirers

MIGUEL Cardoso is on the cusp of history across all fronts, and that's why he could make his initial detractors, including yours truly, eat humble pie this month.

- MIHLALI BALEKA

I'll be the first to admit that I initially thought Mamelodi Sundowns shot themselves in the foot when they hired Cardoso.

Apart from guiding Esperance to the CAF Champions League final last season, which they lost to Al Ahly, there was nothing special about him, I thought.

He had arrived midway through the season at Esperance as his predecessor had all but won the league title and made huge strides on the continent.

Cardoso's noteworthy achievements at the time was simply eliminating Sundowns in the semi-final of the Champions League after back-to-back 1-0 wins.

And so, forgive me and many others who thought that the Portugal-born coach was only hired by the Brazilians based on his triumph over them.

Granted, his predecessor Manqoba Mngqithi had started his tenure as the sole coach of the team on a mild note, crashing out of the MTN8 and Carling Knockout respectively.

But Mngqithi was fast establishing his footprint in the team as Sundowns were quick in transition and able to find the back of the net with ease.