Cardoso’s Calabash explosion exposes cracks at Sundowns

MIGUEL Cardoso’s outburst at the post-match press conference following Mamelodi Sundowns’ stalemate with Kaizer Chiefs this week has evoked mixed feelings.

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The Sundowns coach lost his cool for most of the presser after being asked whether that draw was enough to buy him time at the helm, and whether his team could be forgiven for underperforming against one of their biggest rivals.

His reaction was understandable. Sundowns were always going to struggle to hit the ground running this season, having been fatigued after a hectic schedule in recent months, which included playing in the coveted CAF Champions League final and the Club World Cup.

Some of his regulars have had standoffs with the club over contractual issues including last season’s PSL Footballer of the Season, Lucas Ribeiro, and one of the best right-backs in the country, Khuliso Mudau - with neither having played a single game this season.

So, having had to start the season with such disruptions on the horizon, Cardoso was always going to find it difficult to run a watertight ship. Ribeiro, moreover, was no ordinary player, having also won the Goal of the Tournament at the global showpiece in the US.