THE FUSE

Expectations around Mamelodi Sundowns remain as demanding as ever. Chairman Tlhopie Motsepe has moved to reinforce stability by offering strong public support to head coach Miguel Cardoso.

Kabo Yellow have experienced a more competitive Betway Premiership race this season, with Orlando Pirates applying sustained pressure near the top of the standings, forcing the defending champions to work harder than in previous campaigns where they often dominated early.

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MASSIVE PRESSURE ON MAMELODI SUNDOWNS

While performances earlier in the season attracted criticism from sections of supporters, a run of positive results against MC Alger, Orlando Pirates, AmaZulu and Sekhukhune United helped steady the mood around the club.

Speaking during the launch of the Mamelodi Sundowns Soccer Schools project, Motsepe acknowledged supporters’ frustrations while explaining that the club remains committed to long-term planning rather than reactive decisions.

“As a football club, we do hear the fans. We do hear the frustrations that they felt at the time,” he told journalists.

“And again, it’s about empathy and understanding their circumstances and then also understanding the technical team and the coach’s circumstances.

“But we are a long-term club. We are a club that looks at a project in terms of its entirety. Our supporters have been with us a long time and we also look at our coaches to say ‘we want to be with you for a long time, so that we can achieve our targets,” the Sundowns boss added.

CAF CHAMPIONS LEAGUE CHALLENGES

Motsepe also praised the supporters who stood behind the team during a crucial CAF Champions League encounter, describing their presence as a driving force behind the squad’s response in pressure moments.

“If there is a message I would say to the Sundowns supporters, it would be to say to the supporters we saw at Loftus against MC Alger…thank you so much for the faith and support they show to the team,” he added.

“I think Mamelodi Sundowns will continue to make them very happy in future,” Motsepe concluded.