Miguel Cardoso asks for recognition as title race wraps up

Cardoso, who only needs a point to guide The Brazilians to a record eighth league title, refuted the notion that he’d taken over a well-oiled machine under his predecessor Manqoba Mngqithi.   

Although the Portuguese mentor acknowledged Mngqithi’s efforts in the seven games before getting sacked, Cardoso felt his 16 wins in 19 Betway Premiership fixtures is not being appreciated.

"People are saying that I arrived in the middle of the season, no I didn't arrive in the middle of the season, I arrived with only one-third of the season played. So, with all due respect to coach Manqoba and the work he did, that was important, obviously. I think that is clear for everybody where we were and where we stand and where we finished,” Cardoso said.

“So credit to the club and for my players and for the management. Obviously that was important to beat the team with the position that the team had and that is the credit that I also give to him because I said that to him when we played already personally when we played against him, where the team was but it's clear the job that was done by my staff and myself and everybody together.

“So, it's important that people recognise what we've been doing in this league, we took the team to a high, high level. The team is not only playing fantastically but it's breaking record, after record, after record."

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Cardoso added that he did not want to be distracted by fishing for compliments, arguing that wrapping up the title tomorrow night against Chippa United in East London will vindicate the staff.

"Regarding more than that, I would like to leave it to the moment that we really become champions, because in the moment it's not the time for that. We need to really focus on what we want to do,” he added.

“My focus will be obviously be preparing the team in the best way to play these two last matches and then we make the balance in the end but anyway, let's give credit to who deserve it, because since I have arrived, I respect the way we've been doing.

“Respect the work of my players, of the management, of the team that is all around me, not only the coaches but the medical staff, the kit men, the people from marketing, the people from the media. So, there's a big, big team around."