Miguel Cardoso keen on Pitso Mosimane collaboration

Mamelodi Sundowns head coach Miguel Cardoso has pledged his full support for newly appointed Bafana Bafana mentor Pitso Mosimane ahead of the 2027 Africa Cup Of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers.

South Africa are set to square off against Guinea at the Orlando Amstel Arena on Saturday, before facing Eritrea four days later in a neutral venue in Cairo, where they are also penciled in to tackle Egypt in an international friendly match on 04 October.

The matches will kickstart a new era for the 1996 African champions under the tutelage of Mosimane, who's in his second spell as the Bafana boss after succeeding Belgian tactician Hugo Broos.

With the highly-anticipated encounters on the horizon, the Sundowns gaffer says he is open to a working relationship with the three-time CAF Champions League winner in a bid to help the national team achieve its objectives.

“National teams always existed and I totally support the work of the national team of South Africa. It's my job, that's why I put myself on the service of coach Pitso for whatever he needs from my side to help him to be as strong as possible,” said Cardoso.

"Obviously, it's not my work, it's his work but I will absolutely support [him]. And I think it's important that we understand that in national team there are no Sundowns players, they are national team players.

"They just become Sundowns players when they come back, and there are no other teams' players. There's just South African players and that's how I feel proud to see the national team of South Africa. I see the national team when I see them play.

"It happened the same way with coach Hugo, with whom I had also a very good relationship because that's just a platform I position myself - it's giving possibilities from whatever he needs from my side that he can use, even the players' information.

Cardoso acknowledges the importance of Mosimane getting off to a good start, amid skepticism surrounding his appointment from a section of the South African football fraternity.

“And the players they go, they will play, when they come back we'll see. Also, the coach obviously is starting, he needs to do a good start, we want him to do a very good start,” the Portuguese mentor added.

"Let's hope we can produce results in the national team and we will support obviously, and stay together and celebrate those results with the same energy that we celebrate ours - that's always my position obviously.

Mosimane previously coached Bafana between July 2010 and June 2012, before going on to enjoy a trophy-laden stint with Sundowns and Egyptian giants Al Ahly, prior to his spell in the Middle East.

Hlayisani Magoro

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Football journalist from South Africa covering African football news, exclusive stories and key events while sharing insights with passionate fans of the game.

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