Miguel Cardoso Nears 100 Games as Mamelodi Sundowns Prepare for New Season
Mamelodi Sundowns are preparing to begin another important campaign, with head coach Miguel Cardoso approaching a significant milestone in his career at Chloorkop. The reigning South African giants will finally kick off their 2026/27 season in the MTN8 on Saturday evening after a delayed start following the tragic death of midfielder Jayden Adams. As the club turns its attention back to football, Cardoso finds himself on the verge of reaching 100 matches in charge of one of Africa’s biggest clubs. The milestone reflects both his resilience and the confidence the club has shown in his leadership. It also marks a rare achievement at a club where coaching changes have often come quickly despite periods of success.
Cardoso’s opening match of the new season will be his 89th game in charge of Mamelodi Sundowns. Since taking over the team on December 15, 2024, beginning with a match against Raja Casablanca, the Portuguese coach has overseen 88 competitive fixtures. Reaching the 100-match mark will require another 12 games, a target that now appears well within reach. If Sundowns progress deep into the MTN8, seven of those matches could be completed before the end of the month. That would leave Cardoso only a handful of games away from joining an exclusive group of coaches who have enjoyed lengthy spells at the club.
Managing Mamelodi Sundowns has never been an easy assignment, regardless of a coach’s reputation or previous achievements. The club has built a winning culture where trophies are expected every season, leaving little room for inconsistency or extended periods of poor form. Throughout his time at Chloorkop, Cardoso has experienced both praise and criticism as supporters and observers closely evaluated every result. Even while winning the majority of his matches, he has often faced scrutiny whenever performances failed to meet the exceptionally high standards associated with the club. Such pressure has become part of the job for anyone trusted with leading one of South Africa’s most successful football institutions.
Despite the challenges, Cardoso has secured the achievement that carries the greatest importance within the Sundowns hierarchy. Delivering the CAF Champions League title significantly strengthened his position and demonstrated his ability to succeed on the continent’s biggest stage. Winning Africa’s premier club competition is considered one of the highest accomplishments for any coach managing the club. That success not only added another prestigious trophy to Sundowns’ growing collection but also provided Cardoso with greater stability in a role that has historically been demanding. His continental triumph has effectively ensured that he will remain in charge long enough to reach the 100-game milestone.
The significance of reaching 100 matches becomes even clearer when viewed against the club’s coaching history. Pitso Mosimane remains the only coach to surpass the 100-game mark as the sole head coach before eventually leaving after managing more than 300 matches. His remarkable tenure transformed Sundowns into one of Africa’s dominant clubs, but it was not without difficulties. Early in his reign, Mosimane also had to deal with criticism from supporters when results failed to meet expectations. His experience demonstrated that patience and long-term vision can eventually produce sustained success, a lesson that continues to resonate within South African football.
For Cardoso personally, his time at Sundowns has already become the longest managerial spell of his coaching career. The 54-year-old has remained in charge longer than he did during any of his previous appointments, highlighting the significance of his current position. Before arriving at Chloorkop, he spent relatively short periods at Esperance, his second spell with Rio Ave, AEK Athens, Celta Vigo and Nantes. None of those appointments lasted a full year, making his current tenure an important chapter in his professional journey. He is also expected to reach the two-year mark with Sundowns in December, another indication of the trust placed in him by the club’s leadership.
The new season presents Cardoso with another opportunity to build on the success already achieved. Sundowns will once again compete on multiple fronts, including domestic competitions and continental football, while aiming to maintain their reputation as one of Africa’s elite clubs. Every competition brings fresh expectations, and supporters will be eager to see the team continue producing consistent performances. The MTN8 offers an immediate chance to secure the first trophy of the season, while also allowing Cardoso to move closer to his historic milestone. Strong results in the opening weeks could provide valuable momentum for the demanding months ahead.
Miguel Cardoso’s journey toward 100 matches in charge of Mamelodi Sundowns represents more than just a statistical achievement. It reflects his ability to navigate one of the toughest coaching jobs in South African football while delivering the success that matters most to the club. With the CAF Champions League already secured and another season ready to begin, Cardoso has positioned himself to write another important chapter in Sundowns’ history. Progress in the MTN8 could accelerate his path to the century mark and further strengthen his legacy at Chloorkop. As the new campaign gets underway, both the coach and the club will be focused on adding more victories, more trophies and another memorable season to an already impressive record.
