On YouTube channel SoccerBeat, former Pirates keeper Moeneeb Josephs called Cardoso ''weak'' for running down the tunnel after losing the game, and criticised him for only shaking hands after other matches when Sundowns win.
However, speaking exclusively to Soccer Laduma, former Sundowns midfielder Roger Feutmba believes there is a difference between questionable behaviour after losing and "hating to lose", and he believes Cardoso embodies the latter.
Cameroonian-born Feutmba stated that any coach leading a team like Sundowns, which has high expectations from management, would be built to express a winning mentality.
"In football it's always about winning. If you are angry after losing it's a sign of good fighting spirit. There is a big difference between being a sore loser and hating to lose a game. I think, just like any other coach, Cardoso hates losing. He is a fighter. Every coach wants to win. And it's even worse when you are at a club like Mamelodi Sundowns who give you everything in terms of playing material and incentives. It's not good to lose at all. So I think he just hates losing a game," Feutmba told Soccer Laduma.
READ: Seema Lifts Trophy Abroad But Is Open To PSL Return
Despite Josephs and the fan criticism of Cardoso, the Sundowns coach did meet Riveiro on the pitch long after the game ended, where they had a friendly conversation before eventually shaking hands. Nevertheless, pundits expected a handshake straight after the final whistle.
Regarding Feutmba's point, he also shared a personal anecdote, how he relates to the situation, recalling how he too hated losing when he was a player and once cried after a loss to Kaizer Chiefs in a cup game.
"I remember when I was still playing, we lost to Kaizer Chiefs in a cup game and i cried after the game. It's not about the bonus money that you won't get but you know winning a trophy adds value and losing becomes painful. So, since Cardoso is a winner - he feels bad when he loses. He will do everything to win in terms of coaching and tactics but on the field of play it is the responsibility of the players to use everything the coach had taught them and win the game. So, we have a coach who is a winner and hates losing," Feutmba concluded.
Since joining the Brazilians, the former Esperance mentor, Cardoso had lost to TS Galaxy in the Premiership before his latest defeat, against Bucs on Sunday. Despite the loss, Sundowns are 15 points ahead of Bucs on the PSL table but Pirates have four matches in hand.
