Watch VideoMiguel Cardoso urges Mamelodi Sundowns to maintain positive mindset and strive for March coach award

Siyanda Ndlovu and Sabelo Sithole of Golden Arrows challenged by Marcelo Allende of Mamelodi Sundowns during the Betway Premiership match at the Loftus Versfeld Stadium on Wednesday. There has been a refreshing breeze of calm, togetherness, and a positive mindset sweeping through Mamelodi Sundowns in the last few days, and coach Miguel Cardoso has urged his troops to keep at it and strive for more improvements. Sundownshave shown flashes of their old self recently.

They are through to the CAF Champions League quarter-final, in which they will face Stade Malien, while they are second on the Betway Premiership standings with 44 points, level with leaders Orlando Pirates, who have a superior goal difference. Sundowns’ purple patch has broughta breath of fresh air and a sigh of relief for Cardoso. The Portuguese was under immense pressure at the start of the year, so much so that he was a target of some disgruntled supporters and club legends.

His critics lamented that Sundowns had regressed from their traditional, ideal style of play, and still hadn’t been constructive in their ‘winning performances’. Since surviving the scare of not qualifying for the Champions League group stage after beating MC Alger, Sundowns have been on an upward trajectory. They showed a clinical and appeasing side in their title charge, winning their last seven games in a row, including beating fellow title challengers, Pirates, away and Golden Arrows on Wednesday night. Sundowns’ impressive run has also been inspired by individuals, with Marcelo Allende using his time on the bench to recharge and Iqraam Rayners returning from injury looking sharp.