Mamelodi Sundowns coach Miguel Cardoso believes Marcelo Allende remains an underrated figure in South African football, despite the midfielder’s consistent performances and growing collection of individual accolades.
Allende was named Player of the Match for the second consecutive game after playing a key role in Sundowns’ 3-2 victory over Golden Arrows on Sunday — a result that secured their place in the MTN8 final.
The latest recognition prompted Cardoso to question why the Chilean has received so little individual acclaim during his time in South Africa.
Allende has established himself as a vital component of the Sundowns midfield since joining the club, but has been nominated for the PSL Midfielder of the Season award only once. That came in the 2024/25 campaign, when he was shortlisted alongside Orlando Pirates’ Makhehleni Makhaula and Sundowns teammate Teboho Mokoena. Makhaula ultimately claimed the accolade.
“Regarding Marcelo, I told him that when he received his Player of the Match award — I think it is his second in a row, so he got it after the last match as well,” Cardoso told journalists.
“For me, it’s very surprising that Marcelo has been performing consistently in South Africa for so many years and still hasn’t really received an award for midfielder of the season, especially when we see a winger receiving that trophy.”
The Portuguese coach, however, does not want Allende’s individual recognition to become a distraction from Sundowns’ broader objectives.
Cardoso believes individual awards should ultimately be a by-product of collective success.
“It’s also something that’s in the past. What we need to think about is what we’re going to do this season so that, in the end, we put ourselves in the position where we want to be.”
Sundowns now turn their attention back to the Betway Premiership, with their next assignment coming against Milford on Wednesday (kick-off 7.30pm).
The fixture gives Allende another opportunity to maintain the form that has earned him two consecutive Man of the Match awards, while Sundowns look to build momentum in the league after securing their place in the MTN8 final.
For Cardoso, however, the priority remains clear: Allende’s individual performances will only truly matter if they contribute to Sundowns’ collective ambitions.
“No one at Sundowns has a big interest in fighting for individual trophies unless those trophies mean that the team did well. And then we accept individuality, of course.” | IOL Sport