Mamelodi Sundowns: The three reasons behind Miguel Cardoso’s contract extension

13.10.26 13:30 South African Betway Premiership

Richards Bay

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Mamelodi Sundowns FC

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After taking charge of Mamelodi Sundowns in December 2024 following his spell at Espérance Sportive de Tunis, Miguel Cardoso quickly established his team at the summit of African football.

In an interview with the club’s official channel, Mamelodi Sundowns TV, the Portuguese coach confirmed that he had signed a new long-term contract, although he did not specify its duration.

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This extension appears to be a logical decision for a coach whose record largely matches the club’s ambitions. Here are the three reasons.

Results that speak in his favour

Since his arrival, Cardoso has posted a particularly strong record with the “Brazilians”. He has won 62 of his 96 matches, drawing 21 and losing 13. His team has scored 188 goals and conceded 82.

The Portuguese coach’s figures speak in his favour, and his consistency is the first reason the club’s management chose continuity rather than starting a new cycle.

Three titles won, including the Champions League

The second argument is, of course, the honours he has built up in less than two years. Cardoso won the South African league title in 2025 before leading Sundowns to their second African Champions League title in May 2026, ten years after the club’s first triumph.

The South African club beat AS FAR 1-0 in the first leg of the final before finishing the job in the return leg in Morocco (1-1). It also won the 2026 edition of the FIFA Africa-Asia-Pacific Cup by beating Al-Ahli 2-1 on September 19, 2026, at Loftus Versfeld Stadium in Pretoria.

A project that is still far from finished

Finally, Sundowns still have several important challenges to face with Cardoso. The first will be the MTN8 final against Orlando Pirates on October 10 in Durban.

The “Brazilians” will then begin the defence of their continental title against Angola’s Wiliete on October 18 and 23 in the second preliminary round of the African Champions League.

The schedule also includes the race for the South African league title and the CAF Super Cup against USM Alger.

On the international stage, the Intercontinental Cup campaign is not yet over after the victory against Al-Ahli: Sundowns must still face the winner of the clash between Toluca and the South American representative, with a possible meeting against Paris Saint-Germain in sight.

In other words, Cardoso’s contract extension does not merely reward what has already been achieved: above all, it aims to give the Portuguese coach time to continue a project that still has several trophies to pursue.

Imed Ben Amara |

Editorar, fr

Imed Ben Amara - bilingual sports writer and web editor with experience in football content creation. Since 2021, he has contributed to Foot Africa, providing news coverage and analysis.

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