Mamelodi Sundowns chairman Thlopie Motsepe has revealed that recent performances and the team’s style of play have not met the club’s high standards.

The club made the difficult decision to part ways with head coach Manqoba Mngqithi, announcing his dismissal at a hastily arranged press conference on Tuesday. Portuguese coach Miguel Cardoso has been appointed as his successor.

Sundowns’ recent form, including a disappointing loss to Magesi FC in the Carling Knockout Cup final and a lackluster start to the CAF Champions League group stage, contributed to the decision. While the team currently tops the Betway Premiership, their performances have been less dominant and less aesthetically pleasing compared to previous seasons under Rulani Mokwena.

“Mamelodi Sundowns is a team, for the longest time, that based itself on playing attractive, entertaining, and successful football,” said Motsepe at the press conference. 

“It is the reason why we wear the colors that we wear and it is the reason why we earned the nickname Bafana Ba Style. 
“But alongside that identity of football, is the mentality that this club has cultured across the years and seasons. 

“Thanks to many coaches and players that have been part of the journey that we have taken. And that mentality is based on our motto – which is to always strive to be best, to set high target for ourselves and to always stride to achieve. 

“We are an ambitious and aspirational football club. Now in recent months, our team has struggled to match that type of ambition and has struggled to meet the high standards that we have had and set ourselves – both as a board and as an organisation.  

“We even feel the supporters deserve the high quality and high standard of football that we set. 

“Having said that, this was by no means easy decision. Coach Manqoba Mngqithi, coach Wendell Robinson were two coaches that have been with the football club for over two decades – 22 years combined to be exact. 

“They have been with the club for most historic and successful periods and they have been incredibly supportive to the football club. 

“Coach Romain Folz, who joined us very recently, also was very important player and part of this technical team. His attitude, his energy, his desire to improve is something all of us colleagues appreciated very much. But again, I say, we needed to go for another direction.”

Cardoso, who previously led Esperance to a victory over Sundowns in the CAF Champions League semi-final, will take charge of his first match as Sundowns coach against Raja Casablanca at Loftus Stadium on Saturday.