Cardoso backs Bafana boss Mosimane, saying players belong to country at national team level

Miguel Cardoso has offered his support to Bafana Bafana’s new coach Pitso Mosimane whenever needed, emphasizing that national team players belong to the country at the highest level. Thirteen Mamelodi Sundowns players will report for national duty on Monday, as they are called up for the 2027 Afcon qualifiers against Guinea, Eritrea, and a friendly match against Egypt on October 4.

This lineup bolsters both the squad's depth and on-pitch dominance, as they recently won the Fifa African-Asian-Pacific Cup by defeating Al Ahli 2-1. Cardoso asserts that supporting the national team is his job, explaining that these players become Sundowns players only after returning home. While there is often banter about Sundowns and Bafana being the same, Cardoso firmly denies this, stating that there are no Sundowns players in the national team.

He takes pride in the national team and its achievements, and he supports Mosimane's efforts to make them stronger. Although sending these players on national duty could be a double-edged sword, as it may expose them to higher levels and potential injuries, Cardoso remains confident. He believes that with the coach starting fresh, they can achieve positive results and celebrate their success together with the same enthusiasm they display in their club matches.