Cardoso disappointed with Sundowns fan turnout in Al Ahly draw

by Staff Reporter

Monday Apr 21, 2025. 13:00

Mamelodi Sundowns head coach Miguel Cardoso made it known that he’s disappointed with fans of the team after their goalless draw against Al Ahly in the CAF Champions League at the Loftus Versfeld Stadium last Saturday. .

With a clash as big as the semi-final of the competition, Cardoso expected more from the fans as he believes the turnout didn’t match the importance of the day.

“I am very happy that our fans helped us, but it is so sad to see such a beautiful stadium almost empty when you have a semi-final of the Champions League,” said Cardoso.

“We should have a full stadium, supporting us, giving us the extra energy, that two or three per cent pushes you to be in front.

“It is tough to play these types of games, you have the best players in Africa playing this match, and sometimes people ask me what the difference is between North African and Southern African teams. It is that when you play in Cairo, you have 90,000 fans cheering from the first to the last minute, giving the team energy despite what happens on the pitch.”

The Portuguese tactician also spoke about the fanbase of South African football at large, implying that supporters of every club should be supporting those taking part in CAF competitions.

“And today, although we felt the energy from our fans, we should have a full stadium, cheering, a full South Africa in the stadium, and that should happen even with matches for Stellenbosch and Orlando Pirates, and it didn’t,” he added.

“…I think the stands behind me [Sundowns bench] were quite okay, but the rest of the stadium unfortunately not at the level of this game, and that also could help us, the energy [from the supporters].”