Mamelodi Sundowns' coach Miguel Cardoso has had a remarkable journey with the South African football club. Since arriving in December 2024, Cardoso has won four major trophies, including the Betway Premiership, the CAF Champions League, the FIFA Africa-Asian-Pacific Cup, and the MTN8. His tenure has been marked by both success and scrutiny, with the coach facing questions about his ability to lead the team to victory in major competitions.
Cardoso's first season with Sundowns was a success, with the team winning the league title. However, the coach faced criticism for losing the 2024/25 CAF Champions League final to Pyramids FC. The defeat raised concerns about Cardoso's ability to take the team to the next level. Despite the setback, Cardoso responded by guiding Sundowns to a 2-1 aggregate victory over Morocco's AS FAR in the 2026 CAF Champions League final.
The 2026 CAF Champions League title was a defining moment in Cardoso's tenure, demonstrating his ability to bounce back from disappointment and deliver major success. However, Sundowns' season was not without its challenges, with the team surrendering the league title in the 2025/26 season and enduring disappointment in domestic cup competitions.
The new campaign has brought fresh optimism for Sundowns, with the team defeating Al Ahli Saudi 2-1 to win the FIFA Africa-Asian-Pacific Cup. The team then secured a 2-0 win over Orlando Pirates in the MTN8 final at Moses Mabhida Stadium, with Teboho Mokoena opening the scoring and Iqraam Rayners converting a stoppage-time penalty.
The MTN8 victory marked Sundowns' fifth title in the competition and denied Pirates an unprecedented fifth consecutive crown. For Cardoso, the win was a significant achievement, ending Sundowns' wait for the competition's trophy since 2021. The coach has earned the right to be judged on his achievements, but he knows that success does not guarantee a smooth ride.
Managing a star-studded squad across multiple competitions will test Cardoso's tactical flexibility, rotation, and ability to keep players focused. The coach must navigate the challenges of the Betway Premiership, CAF Champions League, Nedbank Cup, and Carling Knockout, while also pursuing further international opportunities.
Cardoso has survived the storm and established himself as a capable coach, but he must now turn his success into sustained dominance. With four trophies already won, the coach has a strong case for why he deserves to lead one of African football's biggest clubs. The ultimate measure of his success will be whether he can keep winning and maintain Sundowns' position as a leading force in African football.
Key points
- Miguel Cardoso has won four major trophies with Mamelodi Sundowns since December 2024.
- Cardoso's team won the 2026 CAF Champions League title, defeating AS FAR 2-1 on aggregate.
- Sundowns defeated Orlando Pirates 2-0 in the MTN8 final, securing their fifth title in the competition.
