Transfer saga affecting Sundowns locker room? Cardoso responds

Africa 22 August 2025 at 06:29

Hlayisani Magoro

News Editor

Mamelodi Sundowns coach Miguel Cardoso has responded to whether the ongoing transfer saga regarding several players is affecting the harmony in the dressing room.

Masandawana have a host of want away stars in their ranks, with talisman Lucas Ribeiro Costa having requested to terminate his contract at Chloorkop. The Brazilian took the matter to the FIFA Football Tribunal.

Meanwhile, Khuliso Mudau is reportedly keen to also secure a move away from the club as he is yet to feature in any official match this season. On the other hand, Thapelo Maseko took to social media to express his frustration with the lack of game time.

When pressed for answers regarding the different situations happening at the Tshwane giants, the Portuguese mentor suggested that the club will publicly communicate the proceedings happening behind the scenes in due course.

“I think Mamelodi Sundowns is not making any kind of noise around whatever happens. Mamelodi Sundowns is preserving everything that might be happening and keeping it inside the locker room, inside doors let’s say,” said Cardoso.

While he remained tight-lipped on the transfer speculations, Cardoso is adamant that the rumors won’t demoralize nor break apart the dressing room, stressing that the players at his disposal are focused on taking the team to another level.

“The locker room is impossible to be ripped [apart], it’s impossible to be broken by these kinds of rumors, the locker room is too strong, the values inside the club are too strong for these kinds of events,” he added.

“The focus is so strong on becoming better, for working for the next match and the time is so small that the level of concentration must be so high of course that we don’t have to relate with what happens around.

“We always have the philosophy that if someone falls, two should rise, that’s how we develop and shape character and I think that’s how the story of Mamelodi Sundowns has been written – by strong character, by strong values, and by strong people.

The 53-year-old tactician concluded: “Whatever happens is always solved indoors [behind the scenes] as best as possible, and for sure in the right moment spoken publicly.