Mamelodi Sundowns coach Miguel Cardoso highly praised Nuno Santos' performance, who demonstrated impressive play in the match against Al Ahli Jeddah. Santos returned to the starting lineup after a period of uncertainty regarding his future at the club and managed to answer all doubts on the field.
The Portuguese midfielder scored both goals, allowing Sundowns to defeat Al Ahli 2-1 on Saturday and win the 2026 Africa and Asia Cup. In his crucial return match, Santos was also named player of the match.
International Level
Cardoso stated that the decision to bring Santos back into the starting lineup was made after several conversations between them. The coach also noted a change in the player's mentality. Cardoso remarked: "Sometimes we play with cards, we expect them to go well, but they don't; other times we play with cards, we have expectations that they will go well, and they do well. I always say that we are not magicians, but sometimes we can work magic, and players can work magic."
The coach added that he felt the team was 'hugging each other' that day, and it was important to him that Santos was smiling today. "And since he found this smile, I felt confident to put him in to play – so I gave him the chance to play so he could smile, he smiled, he hugged the team, he hugged his teammates."
Cardoso also mentioned that Santos promised to put Sundowns' needs above his personal situation. He stated: "We talked a lot, and he said: 'Coach, I will give the team what the team requires from me, and that is where I will prove myself with the guys throughout the journey.'"
This promise was rewarded in the best way. Santos not only returned to the starting lineup but also delivered a performance that secured another international trophy for Sundowns, while reminding the midfielder of his importance in Cardoso's plans. For Sundowns, this victory was another trophy, and for Santos, perhaps the strongest response to a difficult period: two goals, player of the match award, and a cup after his return.