Miguel Cardoso Reaches Milestone as Sundowns Near Title in Crucial Chippa Clash
Mamelodi Sundowns’ Betway Premiership showdown against Chippa United on Wednesday at Loftus Versfeld (19:30) will carry more weight than just three points—it also marks a personal milestone for head coach Miguel Cardoso.
The Portuguese tactician will take charge of his 30th match at the helm since arriving at Chloorkop on December 10, 2024. Tasked with steering the club through a critical second half of the season, Cardoso replaced Manqoba Mngqithi, who managed the first 18 matches across all competitions.
Sundowns are marching toward what is now a routine achievement: their eighth consecutive league title. With just four matches left, and boasting a +22 goal difference advantage over second-placed Orlando Pirates, only a mathematical miracle can derail their dominance. Victory against Chippa would bring them within touching distance of officially sealing the deal.
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Cardoso’s record in his first 29 matches is solid: 20 wins, five draws, and just four defeats across the Betway Premiership, CAF Champions League, and the Nedbank Cup. His only real blemish came via a controversial elimination in the Nedbank Cup semi-finals—a match that raised eyebrows due to officiating decisions.
Still, winning the league alone is no longer the gold standard at Sundowns. The club’s ambitions have grown beyond local supremacy. As former coach Rulani Mokwena discovered, even clinching the title doesn’t guarantee job security unless it comes with success in continental competition.
That’s where Cardoso has already made history.
The 52-year-old has broken the semi-final curse and led The Brazilians to the CAF Champions League final, where they’ll meet Egypt’s Pyramids FC in a two-legged battle for African glory. It’s a stage the club hasn’t reached since Pitso Mosimane delivered the title in 2016.
The CAF Champions League remains the true test for Sundowns. The club has fallen short in recent years—exiting in the semi-finals three times and the quarterfinals on four occasions. Cardoso’s arrival has revived belief that this could finally be their year.
By the time he hits the six-month mark at the club on June 10, Cardoso will have overseen 35 matches. He’ll hope to have secured both the domestic league and the elusive Champions League crown by then.
But the journey doesn’t end there.
Sundowns are headed to the revamped FIFA Club World Cup, where they’ll compete in Group F against some of the world’s top clubs. They open against South Korea’s Ulsan HD on June 17, face Germany’s Borussia Dortmund four days later, and finish the group stage against Brazilian giants Fluminense.
As Cardoso celebrates his 30th match in charge, Wednesday’s clash with Chippa United represents more than a number. It’s a symbol of consistency, growth, and the high expectations that come with leading Africa’s most dominant football club.
