Shocking statement from Miguel Cardoso after leaving MTN8

Overconfidence from the Portuguese?

Shocking statement from Miguel Cardoso after leaving MTN8

Mamelodi Sundowns head coach Miguel Cardoso has provided his perspective on the club’s off-field environment, describing the internal atmosphere as "calm" despite recent external turbulence.

In a statement that may come as a surprise to some observers, Cardoso insisted that “everything is normal” within the camp, dismissing suggestions of unrest behind the scenes.

His comments arrive amid ongoing speculation regarding the futures of key players Khuliso Mudau and Lucas Ribeiro, both of whom are seeking exits—though the defending Betway Premiership champions have so far resisted their departures.

Mudau has consistently been linked with a move to North Africa on the back of his impressive displays for both club and country. Meanwhile, Ribeiro—a target for Qatari side Qatar SC—has escalated the situation by taking his case to the FIFA Tribunal in an effort to push through a transfer.

The Brazilian has enlisted the services of renowned Belgian lawyer Jean-Louis Dupont, who previously secured victory in the historic 1995 Bosman ruling.

🔴 Miguel Cardoso explains why their start to matches has been slow - "while we were at the World Cup, Pirates were resting and came back while we were still at the World Cup." #sabcsport411pic.twitter.com/1wL0zaUnwV

— Mazola J. Molefe (@superjourno) August 24, 2025

Cardoso sought to deflect attention from the speculation, stating: “I think that [the performance of the team] has nothing to do with what’s happening [within the club], because it’s not happening inside the club, it’s happening outside; inside, nothing is happening.”

He added: “We’re at peace, we enjoy every day, we don’t have problems. The food is there for breakfast and lunch. The pitches are okay, we train, and there are no issues. Everything is normal, we’re calm, the players arrive in the morning as normal.”

Mamelodi Sundowns head coach Miguel Cardoso after their #MTN8 exit. 👆❌ pic.twitter.com/BoJtMWzFH2

— Lorenz Köhler (@Lorenz_KO) August 23, 2025

Cardoso emphasized that the technical team remains focused on football matters: “We just work thinking about who we have, and we don’t relate to those questions [about internal issues at Sundowns]. Those are political issues—the chairman [Motsepe], and the board, the sporting director [Berg]—of course, me and the players we work, where we are, where we want to be, which is our opponent, we study, we define a plan—and I think we’ve been doing very well.”

The squad now turns its attention back to league duties as they gear up for a trip to Soweto to face Kaizer Chiefs at FNB Stadium on Wednesday night.