Why Cardoso won’t ‘paint a pretty picture’ of the PSL in Europe

Mamelodi Sundowns head coach Miguel Cardoso has delivered a scathing assessment of the South African football landscape, accusing local stakeholders of “stagnating” the game through petty rivalries and a lack of collective vision.

Following the Brazilians’ 2-1 victory over Golden Arrows on Wednesday, the Portuguese tactician took the opportunity to air his frustrations regarding the lack of support for teams competing on the continent.

With Sundowns being the sole remaining South African representative in CAF inter-club competitions this season—following the exits of Orlando Pirates, Kaizer Chiefs, and Stellenbosch FC—Cardoso believes the local “crabs-in-a-bucket” mentality is holding the nation back.

Cardoso Speaks On The European Standard vs The Local Reality

Cardoso, a former La Liga coach, drew sharp comparisons between the support systems in Europe and the perceived “sabotage” in the Betway Premiership. His primary grievance stems from Orbit College’s refusal to reschedule their midweek clash on March 10, a decision that leaves Masandawana with just 48 hours to prepare for their high-stakes CAF Champions League quarter-final against Stade Malien on March 13.

“This week, Ligue 1 in France officially delayed and said to PSG, ‘You don’t play your match this week because you have to be in good condition to play Chelsea,’” Cardoso remarked. “Here, we tried to change the game, and the only thing we managed to do is play on a pitch where the conditions are worse, just two days before the quarter-finals of the Champions League.”

For Cardoso, the issue goes beyond scheduling; it is a cultural problem within South African football. He criticised the tendency of rival clubs and fans to root for Sundowns’ failure in Africa, rather than viewing their success as a boost for the entire PSL.

“When I’m in Portugal, whether it’s Benfica, Porto, or Sporting, whoever is playing internationally, I want them to win. But here we still play this cat-and-dog, or mouse-and-cat, game where ‘I want you to lose when you go to play [in the Champions League].’”

He further emphasised that the success of rivals like the Pirates and Chiefs is essential for the league’s global standing. “I was happy to see Pirates in the semi-finals last year, and I was not happy they lost in the qualifying rounds this season. I want South African football to be followed everywhere.”

A Truth Too Harsh for Europe?

The Sundowns mentor revealed that he has been invited to speak at the prestigious Portuguese Football Coaches Association congress, but admits he is conflicted about how to describe the state of the South African game to his peers.

“The president [José Pereira] wants me to tell everyone in Portugal what the reality of South African football is. My question is, what should I say? Should I paint it beautifully and offer it to Portugal, or should I tell the truth? Because if I say what happens here, people will say, ‘it’s not possible.’”

A Call for Collective Growth From the Sundowns Coach

Cardoso concluded by urging all 16 PSL clubs, from the giants of Soweto to those at the bottom of the table, to view the league as a “joint venture” rather than a battlefield of individual interests.

“We really need to think about how we want to see football in South Africa in 10 years. I see people still fighting against each other. It’s a joint venture, not some individual effort.”