“We Can Match The Elite!” – Cardoso
Mamelodi Sundowns coach Miguel Cardoso believes his side has proven that it can compete with some of the world’s best teams ahead of the 2026 FIFA Intercontinental Cup after securing an impressive 3-1 victory over Bundesliga outfit RB Leipzig in an international club friendly at Lucas Moripe Stadium on Friday evening.
Fresh from claiming their second CAF Champions League title and booking their place in the 2026 FIFA Intercontinental Cup, Sundowns delivered another statement of intent by overcoming the German side in front of their home supporters.
The victory came just days after Sundowns were crowned African champions following their triumph over Moroccan side AS FAR, a success that also secured their qualification for the 2029 FIFA Club World Cup.
The annual FIFA Intercontinental Cup brings together the champions of each confederation in a single-elimination tournament, with the host nation and tournament dates yet to be confirmed.
The tournament will mark the third edition of the FIFA Intercontinental Cup and largely retains the format of the previous annual FIFA Club World Cup before the competition was expanded into a larger quadrennial event.
Having already qualified for the 2029 FIFA Club World Cup, Sundowns also participated in last year’s edition of the global tournament in the United States.
The Tshwane giants could potentially face some of the biggest clubs in world football at the Intercontinental Cup. Paris Saint-Germain have already secured their place in the tournament after winning Saturday’s UEFA Champions League final in Budapest.
Following the victory over Leipzig, Cardoso said the performance demonstrated that Sundowns are capable of matching elite international opposition.
“I really want to leave another word of praise for the players,” Cardoso told SABC Sport after celebrating enthusiastically following Bennet Mokoena’s third goal.
“I think our chairman and president will be very happy because they asked us to show the strength of the badge that we carry and continue to carry, especially because we are going to play many international matches in the future.
“So, it is very important that we can compete with teams of this level. We showed that we can. We will continue doing our best to be at that level, for sure.”
With the season now over, the Portuguese tactician also highlighted the importance of giving players sufficient rest before the next campaign, particularly those who will not be involved in the 2026 FIFA World Cup in the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
“So, it’s important this year that the players who are not going to the World Cup can have a good rest, two good weeks of rest, and then slowly, but with the right direction, start preparing again so that we begin next season with the level of capacity that we need,” he added.
“The World Cup will be a beautiful event, and we’ve been in the Club World Cup recently.
“The ones who are there will enjoy it a lot. We have to enjoy the best football in the world and the best players playing against each other. From our sofas at home, we will watch beautiful football.”
Having conquered Africa once again and now defeated one of Germany’s leading clubs, Sundowns will head into the off-season with growing belief that they can make a significant impact when they return to international competition at the 2026 FIFA Intercontinental Cup
