Miguel Cardoso hits back at critics after Kaizer Chiefs draw

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Cardoso fires back at critics amid increasing discontent after Chiefs stalemate

Photo: Chris Brunskill/ Getty Images

Mamelodi Sundowns head coach Miguel Cardoso has hit back at critics amidst increasing discontent from the club’s supporters over the Brazilians’ underwhelming performances in the 2025/26 campaign.

The defending Betway Premiership champions settled for a share of the spoils with high flying Kaizer Chiefs in a goalless encounter at the FNB Stadium on Wednesday.

Overall, this marked the club’s second draw of the campaign, with Masandawana currently in third place on the log standings, having accumulated eight points thus far, much to the frustration of the Downs faithful, who are calling for the Portuguese to be sacked.

“We drew twice with Orlando Pirates, and we drew with Kaizer Chiefs that was in second place on the table. I don’t see us drawing games against teams from third division or second division. Do you expect us to come here [FNB] and give them [Chiefs] five [goals] in these kinds of matches? Cardoso said.

“Respect the opponents because you are not respecting. To me you are respecting but probably you are not respecting the teams [you are talking about], you are making them much worser than they are. I think you are not respecting the teams that we played against – they are very big teams.

Cardoso went on to highlight that Pirates reached the Champions League semi-final last season, while insisting that his team staged a better performance against Chiefs than it meets the eye. He also addressed what he believes is unfair judgment of him compared to his counterparts.

“Last year Orlando Pirates made the semi-final of the Champions League, I would like to remind you. We played them twice, we didn’t lose, of course we wanted to win, and we were two times winning, even away and I don’t think we were worse than Orlando Pirates,” he added.

“And with all the respect, but also, we were not worse here [against Chiefs], a team that reinforced a lot, that keeps their work, that is in front of their fans, 60 000 people in the stadium and we also had our moments to control the match.

“Why am I obliged to win every match and be judged by that, and the other people can draw, and we are not judged the same way?