Cardoso’s Future At Sundowns In Doubt Amid Mosimane Rumours
Mamelodi Sundowns coach Miguel Cardoso’s future at the club has come under scrutiny after he removed the club’s logo from his social media accounts, sparking speculation about his job security amid growing rumours of Pitso Mosimane’s potential return.
The Portuguese coach joined Sundowns in December 2024, replacing Manqoba Mngqithi, who was dismissed following poor results in the opening stages of the season.
Sundowns had struggled early last season, suffering a disappointing Carling Knockout final loss to Magesi and an unconvincing start to their CAF Champions League group stage campaign. However, Cardoso steadied the ship and went on to guide the Brazilians to the Betway Premiership title.
Cardoso was appointed primarily to deliver CAF Champions League success, having lost it as Esperance coach in the 2023/24 season, but Sundowns fell short in that objective after losing the final to Pyramids. The team has since struggled to replicate last season’s dominance.
For the first time since the 2019/20 season, Sundowns have entered the new year trailing in the Betway Premiership title race, sitting two points behind log leaders Orlando Pirates.
The Pretoria-based club has already missed out on two trophies this season under Cardoso — the MTN8 and the Carling Knockout. In the Champions League, Sundowns currently top their group with four points, level with Al Hilal.
These setbacks have intensified pressure on Cardoso, with persistent rumours suggesting he could be replaced by Mosimane, the coach who led Sundowns to their historic first and only Champions League title in 2016.
Mosimane left Sundowns in September 2020 to join Al Ahly in Egypt, where he further cemented his legacy by winning two Champions League titles with the Cairo giants.
However, Mosimane’s departure from Sundowns was acrimonious. Despite having extended his contract by a further four years, the club had paid him a signing-on fee, which they later demanded back following his sudden exit. The dispute went to court, and it is yet to be resolved.
Despite the legal standoff, both parties are reportedly open to resolving the matter, potentially paving the way for the return of the most successful coach in Sundowns’ history.
During his time at the club, Mosimane not only won the Champions League but also guided Sundowns to the CAF Super Cup in 2017 and five Betway Premiership titles.
He first took charge in December 2012, when Sundowns were battling relegation, replacing the late Dutch and former Barcelona star Johan Neeskens.
Across eight years at the club, Mosimane oversaw 338 matches, recording 192 wins, 78 draws and 68 defeats.
