Miguel Cardoso demands as Mamelodi Sundowns chase elusive MTN8 trophy

Mamelodi Sundowns coach Miguel Cardoso has vowed that his side will do their best to win the MTN8 this season.

Mamelodi Sundowns are eager to prove that they are not prioritising only the CAF Champions League and the Betway Premiership, which is why they are determined to end their MTN8 hoodoo this season.

Sundowns are the champions of African football , a status secured after ending a 10-year drought in the continental competition last season. This achievement followed their prolonged dominance on the domestic scene, where they secured eight consecutive league titles before last season.

However, their league and continental success has created the perception that they have neglected other trophies, particularly domestic silverware. Their last triumph in the MTN8 and Nedbank Cup dates back to the 2021/22 season, under the co-coaching tenure of Manqoba Mngqithi and Rulani Mokwena.

Their recent record in the MTN8 has faced heavy scrutiny, especially given that the competition offers a R10 million winner’s cheque, serves as the first silverware of the season, and provides a platform to set the tone for the remainder of the campaign.

Having won the trophy only once in the last 18 editions since its rebranding in 2008, head coach Miguel Cardoso admitted that he confronted his squad with a difficult question: why do they seem to struggle in a competition that offers so much potential value?

“When we played Polokwane City in the first match, that was my first question to the players,” revealed Cardoso, speaking at the MTN headquarters in Randburg ahead of Sunday's semi-final first-leg clash against Golden Arrows at Lucas Masterpieces Moripe Stadium (3pm).

“When there’s a pattern – winning one trophy out of 18 – it’s not good. We need to understand if there is something we are doing to lead us to that result, and if so, we need to be different. That’s the starting point. It will be something I remind the boys of as we prepare for the next match.”

Reflecting on his second campaign chasing the Wafa Wafa crown, Cardoso emphasised that they are treating the competition with the seriousness it deserves.

“The trophy has not been a regular at Chloorkop, but we value it. There’s no reason for us to undermine the competition,” Cardoso said, before noting the congested fixture list ahead.

“Obviously, we must take note of the fact that we play AmaZulu on Wednesday. After the second leg, we have a midweek match. Whatever lineup we field against Golden Arrows has nothing to do with not valuing the trophy, the sponsor, or the competition.

“We are simply trying to manage the moment. We will field players we believe are in the best position to win the game. It is our intention to win the semi-final tie and head to the final after the international break.”

Sundowns’ bid for the MTN8 will be a difficult one. They face a stern test from Arrows, who caused a major upset by eliminating Kaizer Chiefs in the quarter-finals under the guidance of coach Pitso Dladla.

Dladla is chasing his second cup trophy in as many competitions after winning the Nedbank Cup with his former side, Durban City, late last season.