Cardoso demands tougher protection for players after Mokoena injury
Mamelodi Sundowns head coach Miguel Cardoso has sharply criticised the standard of officiating in the Premier Soccer League after talismanic midfielder Teboho Mokoena missed Tuesday night’s 3-2 win over TS Galaxy through injury. The Portuguese coach said the incident that sidelined Mokoena went unpunished and called for greater measures to protect players — a complaint that has reignited talk about introducing Video Assistant Referee (VAR) technology in the domestic game.
Cardoso’s remarks, published in iDiski Times and reported by Goal.com, underlined his frustration that a high-profile national-team player could be the target of what he described as aggressive action without immediate disciplinary intervention by the match officials. The coach stressed the wider message this sends to the league about player safety and discipline.
"Teboho Mokoena was out today [Tuesday] for the match [vs TS Galaxy]. I think that it’s important that South Africa understands that we have to protect our players," Cardoso said, as quoted by iDiski Times.
Cardoso singled out a specific incident he believes led to Mokoena’s injury, saying the player involved was not even cautioned during the flow of play. According to the coach’s comments cited in the reports, the lack of a yellow card for the challenge is particularly concerning given Mokoena’s profile as a national-team figure.
VAR debate returns to the fore
Alongside his criticism of on-field officials, Cardoso refreshed calls for technological support in decision-making. He noted that the absence of VAR makes the referees’ job harder and leaves room for critical errors to go uncorrected — errors that can lead to injuries impacting both players and clubs.
- Immediate concern: Mokoena’s absence for the match against TS Galaxy and the circumstances around the injury.
- Refereeing criticism: Cardoso said the offender was not penalised and argued this sends the wrong message about protecting top players.
- VAR discussion: The coach said technological assistance would reduce the chance of such incidents being missed.
The comments come as Sundowns seek to balance domestic ambitions with player welfare: the club began their league campaign with a 3-2 victory over TS Galaxy, a result that restored early-season momentum despite the absence of key figures. Cardoso acknowledged the team had to reorganise its midfield when missing the likes of Mokoena and others, but his focus remained on the officiating standards that allowed the incident to go unpunished.
Local implications and next steps
For Mamelodi residents and Sundowns supporters, the story matters on several levels. Sundowns are the city’s flagship team, and the safety of their players — especially national-team stars — is a local concern. Injuries to marquee players have both sporting and emotional consequences for fans who turn out in large numbers and invest loyalties and livelihoods in match-day culture.
Cardoso’s public challenge places pressure on the league authorities, the refereeing body and, indirectly, SAFA to consider whether current officiating and disciplinary processes are sufficient. While VAR remains a contentious and costly addition to any domestic competition, the renewed debate now ties directly to player welfare rather than only to correcting match-deciding errors.
At this stage, the coach’s remarks stand as a call for action rather than a record of formal complaints or sanctions. The reports attribute Cardoso’s statements to iDiski Times and Goal.com; they do not indicate any immediate response from the referees’ association, the PSL or SAFA. Those bodies will be watched closely by Mamelodi supporters for any follow-up, clarification or policy moves on match officiating and the possible adoption of VAR.
What is clear for now is that the issue of protecting high-profile players in South African football has again moved from the dressing-room into the public square — and the conversation has strong resonance here in Mamelodi, where Sundowns remain a central part of community life.
