Miguel Cardoso Insists MTN8 Remains a Desired Trophy for Mamelodi Sundowns

Mamelodi Sundowns coach Miguel Cardoso has made it clear that the MTN8 remains an important and desired trophy at Chloorkop despite the club’s disappointing record in the competition. Sundowns have established themselves as one of the dominant forces in South African football but have struggled to turn that dominance into consistent success in the MTN8. The Brazilians have lifted the trophy only once during the 18 years since MTN became the competition’s sponsor, while also suffering three defeats in finals during that period. Cardoso insists that this history does not mean Sundowns have lost interest in the competition or consider it less important than their other targets. With another semi-final appearance now secured, the coach wants his players to challenge seriously for the trophy and finally change the club’s fortunes in the tournament.

Sundowns’ record in the MTN8 becomes even more striking when the competition’s longer history is considered. The Tshwane giants have won the tournament only four times since its establishment in 1972, despite regularly competing among South Africa’s strongest clubs. There have also been seasons when Sundowns failed to qualify for the competition, adding further frustration to their record. The club’s success in other domestic and continental competitions has made the lack of MTN8 trophies stand out even more. Cardoso recognises that the statistic is not ideal, but he believes it should be viewed within the broader context of the silverware Sundowns have collected over the same period.

The Portuguese coach has stressed that there is no intention from the Sundowns camp to undervalue either the MTN8 trophy or its sponsor. His comments come at a time when the club’s congested schedule requires careful management of players and resources. Sundowns are competing across several fronts, including the Betway Premiership, CAF Champions League, Carling Knockout, CAF Super Cup and FIFA Intercontinental Cup. That demanding calendar means Cardoso must regularly assess which players are physically prepared to take part in each fixture. Any changes to his starting line-up should therefore be viewed as part of squad management rather than an indication that Sundowns have reduced their ambitions in the MTN8.

The club’s current campaign has taken them to a sixth consecutive MTN8 semi-final, underlining their consistency in reaching the latter stages of the competition. Golden Arrows stand between Sundowns and another appearance in the final, with the semi-final being decided over two legs. Cardoso’s immediate priority is to navigate that tie successfully before thinking about the possibility of lifting the trophy. The coach has indicated that the players selected for the matches against Golden Arrows will be those he believes are in the best physical condition to compete. That approach reflects the demands of Sundowns’ schedule and the need to protect players from fatigue and injury.

Cardoso’s comments also reveal that Sundowns are conscious of their unusual MTN8 record. When the team faced Polokwane City at the beginning of the competition, the coach reportedly used their historical struggles in the tournament as a discussion point with his players. He challenged the squad to consider whether there was anything in their approach that had contributed to the recurring pattern of disappointing results. Winning only one MTN8 trophy during the sponsorship era is a statistic that Sundowns cannot ignore, especially given their success in other competitions. Cardoso believes recognising the pattern is an important first step towards changing it.

The coach’s approach is not simply focused on the history of the competition but on what Sundowns can do differently in the present campaign. Cardoso wants his players to concentrate on each match and select the strongest available team based on the demands of that particular fixture. He has made it clear that progressing against Golden Arrows is the immediate objective before the team can begin thinking seriously about the final. If Sundowns reach the final, the match will take place after the international break, providing another period in which the coaching staff can prepare the squad. Reaching that stage would give Sundowns a genuine opportunity to address one of the few notable gaps in their recent domestic trophy record.

The semi-final against Golden Arrows will therefore carry significance beyond simply securing a place in the final. Sundowns will have the opportunity to demonstrate that their historical difficulties in the MTN8 do not define the current generation of players. Golden Arrows will present a competitive challenge over two legs and will be determined to prevent the reigning South African powerhouse from progressing. Sundowns will need to approach both matches with concentration because a poor result in either leg could undo their ambitions. Cardoso’s emphasis on selecting players in the best condition suggests that fitness, tactical discipline and squad management will all play important roles.

The timing of the MTN8 campaign adds another layer of difficulty for Sundowns. The club’s involvement in multiple competitions means the squad cannot approach every match with the same selection and physical intensity. Players will have to cope with frequent fixtures, international commitments and long periods of travel depending on the competition. Cardoso must therefore balance his desire to win the MTN8 with the club’s broader ambitions across domestic and continental football. The challenge is to maintain competitiveness in every tournament without exposing key players to unnecessary physical strain.

Despite the difficulties, Cardoso’s message is clear that the MTN8 remains a competition Sundowns want to win. The club’s record of four titles since 1972 does not reflect the strength Sundowns have displayed in South African football in recent years. Their repeated appearances in the semi-finals demonstrate that they remain capable of competing for the trophy, even if converting those opportunities into titles has proved difficult. The current squad now has another chance to break that pattern and add an MTN8 trophy to the club’s growing collection of silverware. For Cardoso, the key will be ensuring that his players approach the competition with the same determination they show in every other major tournament.

Sundowns’ meeting with Golden Arrows will ultimately provide the next test of whether Cardoso’s approach can produce a different outcome in the MTN8. The coach has already reminded his players of the club’s record and challenged them to identify what needs to change. His decision to manage the squad according to player condition should not be mistaken for a lack of ambition because he has repeatedly stated that Sundowns want to progress and compete for the trophy. If they can overcome Golden Arrows and reach the final, the club will have another opportunity to end a frustrating 18-year pattern. For a team accustomed to winning major honours, finally securing another MTN8 title would carry considerable significance and could give Cardoso’s side another reason to believe that this competition can become part of their success story.