Miguel Cardoso makes Nuno Santos revelation after FIFA Intercontinental Cup heroics

19.09.26 FT FIFA Intercontinental Cup

Mamelodi Sundowns FC

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Al Ahli

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Mamelodi Sundowns head coach Miguel Cardoso has revealed what Nuno Santos told him before proving to be the hero in the FIFA African-Asian-Pacific Cup against Al Ahli SC at Loftus Versfeld Stadium on Saturday.

The Portuguese playmaker scored a brace against the back-to-back Asian Champions, netting in either half, while goalkeeper Ronwen Williams scored an own goal as the Brazilians beat the Saudi side 2-1.

Notably, Santos has endured a slow start to the 2026/27 campaign as he had made three appearances across all competitions with no goal contribution prior to the FIFA Intercontinental Cup tie.

Having taken a gamble by entrusting his compatriot in the high-stakes clash, Cardoso explained that he felt confident of giving Santos a starting berth owing to his positive attitude in the build-up to the match.

“Sometimes we play cards, we expect them to go well and they go wrong, other times we play cards and we have expectations that they go well and they go well,” said the outspoken Downs mentor.

"I always say we are not magicians, but sometimes we can make magic and the players can do magic. I think what happened today is that they embraced each other.

"Nuno had his moment, it was not an easy moment, it's not important today to speak about it, of course - what is important is that he has a smile on his face today and because he found that smile I felt confident to put him to play.

The Portuguese tactician went on to set the record straight that Santos earned a place in the starting XI on merit, revealing the attacking midfielder vowed to prove his commitment to the African champions, amid exit speculations.

“So, I didn't give him an opportunity to play to give him a smile. He smiled, he embraced the team, he embraced the teammates,” Cardoso added.

"We had many talks and he said, ‘Coach I will give the team what the team needs from me and it’s there that I'm going to prove that I'm with you guys all the way'.

"And I think that there were fantastic performances on the pitch individually, some of them more expressed in terms of technical capacities, others more by the commitment they had towards the team.

Cardoso, meanwhile, has now guided Sundowns to two major international trophies since taking over the hotseat at Chloorkop in December 2024, having also ended the club's decade-long drought for a CAF Champions League title last term.

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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