Cardoso embraces pressure as Sundowns target Carling Knockout redemption

Mamelodi Sundowns coach Miguel Cardoso is fully aware of the immense pressure facing his side ahead of their Carling Knockout Cup first-round match, openly admitting that winning is a non-negotiable expectation at the club.

Cardoso’s troops host Marumo Gallants at the Lucas Moripe Stadium this Saturday evening, aiming to start their redemption arc in a tournament that delivered heartbreak last season. Sundowns’ shocking defeat to Magesi FC in the final ultimately cost Cardoso’s predecessor, Manqoba Mngqithi, his job.

🚨𝙂 𝘼 𝙈 𝙀 𝘿 𝘼 𝙔🚨

🆚 Marumo Gallants
⏰ 20H00
🏟 Lucas Moripe Stadium
📺 SS 202
🎟️ https://t.co/AflvEtxgyv #Sundowns #CarlingKnockout #AreyengMasandawana pic.twitter.com/JZqMacc0Wu

— Mamelodi Sundowns FC (@Masandawana) October 4, 2025

Having already failed to secure the MTN8 title this season—and missing out on the Nedbank Cup and MTN8 since taking over in December 2024—Cardoso is desperate to claim his first piece of South African silverware. The pressure is heightened by the fact that Sundowns’ last domestic cup title came during the 2021/22 season when they lifted the Nedbank Cup.

“We are heading to another competition, and there are high expectations that are equal to the demands,” said Cardoso. “As Mamelodi Sundowns, we are obligated to win competitions.”

Sundowns coach Cardoso wary of Gallants

The Tshwane giants will face a stern test against Gallants, a side that has earned a reputation for frustrating the PSL’s giants this season. Bahlabane ba Ntwa has yet to lose to Chiefs, Pirates, or Sundowns in league play this term, having recently held Kaizer Chiefs to a draw and beaten Orlando Pirates.

Their previous league encounter with Sundowns mid-September ended in a 1-1 stalemate at Dr Petrus Molemela Stadium. Cardoso knows his team cannot afford a repeat performance.

“We recently played Marumo Gallants away from home in the league. We have seen how they have been playing, so we expect a tough opponent from them,” Cardoso admitted. “We ourselves have been preparing the best way. We have had a chance this week to prepare well, so we should be able to meet the demands of the game.”

The Portuguese tactician emphasised that tactical change is mandatory to secure the win.

“We cannot be the same team that played against them last time because we will get the same result,” he continued. “We need to be different from what we were then; we need to be more aggressive, mature, and have more control. We also need to have the capacity to understand the game.”

Cardoso stated he expects the same stubborn opposition from Gallants, noting that his own team’s approach must be the variable that changes.