Cardoso Credits Unity For Milestone Stint At Sundowns
Mamelodi Sundowns coach Miguel Cardoso says remaining united during difficult periods has been the secret to his milestone tenure at Chloorkop, even when squad balancing becomes challenging.
Cardoso is currently enjoying the longest stint of his managerial career at Sundowns, having taken charge of 102 matches since replacing Manqoba Mngqithi in December 2024. During his tenure, the Portuguese tactician has recorded 66 wins, 15 losses, and 21 draws across all competitions.
He has delivered three trophies during his spell, most recently lifting the MTN8 title following a 2-0 victory over Orlando Pirates at Moses Mabhida Stadium last weekend.
Cardoso won the league title in his debut 2024/25 campaign while missing out on the CAF Champions League that same season. Although things looked bleak for him last term amid intense speculation linking former Bafana Bafana coach Pitso Mosimane to his post, Sundowns management stood by him.
Cardoso rewarded their faith by delivering the holy grail—the CAF Champions League crown—ending a 10-year continental drought.
Sundowns currently sit atop the Betway Premiership table, holding a one-point lead over second-placed defending champions Orlando Pirates.
For someone who has coached in Portugal, Spain, France, Ukraine, Greece, and Tunisia, this marks the longest continuous spell he has ever had in the hot seat. Cardoso, who previously served as an assistant to Paulo Fonseca, reflected on his journey:
“When you are together with the club, together with the players, together with the management, together with everyone around the staff, and with the trophies we have earned, we keep the ambition to go for more,” said Cardoso.
“That high level is permanent over time. Look, there is no team that keeps the momentum to be always on top. In December, it will be two years since I arrived in South Africa.
“We are not that far, and in three months, we will be there. Obviously, you must keep yourselves and everything perfect.
“Obviously, you also need to understand that at Sundowns, there are moments when you need to make choices, because you are competing on so many platforms and you need to prioritise some other things.
“Sometimes, when you prioritise something, obviously, it takes away from the chances to compete at the top in all competitions.
“I remember last year, in one or two cup matches, we had to make substitutions because we were playing a decisive match in the Champions League three days later, and we had to go with young players.
“Obviously, other teams don’t need to do this; they can pull out all their firepower because they aren’t competing for so many trophies.
“If you ask me an honest and sincere question, obviously, the trophies we win are at the top. But I think what sustained the team is how we stuck together in the lows, and that is the positive.
“It is difficult to understand, but the positive aspect is how we stayed together in the negatives, so that then, in the highs, we can fly. That is the most positive thing, and that is what I will remark on as something absolutely remarkable.”
Sundowns are currently on their way to Benguela, Angola, to face Wiliete SC in the first leg of their CAF Champions League second preliminary round tie.
