Mamelodi Sundowns sealed a record-extending eighth consecutive Betway Premiership title in emphatic fashion on Wednesday night, dismantling Chippa United 3-0 in East London. The resounding victory marked a landmark moment for newly appointed coach Miguel Cardoso, who has now won back-to-back league titles across two countries in as many seasons — and is setting his sights squarely on African continental glory.
“I will start thinking about it now, yeah, I will,” a triumphant Cardos told SuperSport.com, referring to the upcoming CAF Champions League final.
“It doesn’t mean that we will not prepare to win our next match (against Magesi on Sunday). Of course, we will, because Magesi has been doing well in their last games, so we need for sure to take care of them, because we want to finish the league in the best way in front of our fans, but myself, I will now obviously start planning for Pyramids.”
Cardoso’s continental vision
After clinching the domestic title with one game to spare, the Brazilians are preparing to welcome Egypt’s Pyramids FC to Loftus Versfeld on May 24 for the first leg of the CAF Champions League final. The return leg will be played in Cairo on June 1.
This follows Sundowns’ path through the Champions League, where they joined Orlando Pirates in learning their quarterfinal fate back in April.
“I know that my people are working on it because that’s the way we prepare, the way they are working also on the World Cup. But about the World Cup, I don’t worry at all, but now I have time to start watching something about Pyramids. But let’s keep an eye on ourselves because that’s also the most important thing for sure.”
“Great emotions” and a championship spirit
Reflecting on the club’s dominant league run, Cardoso praised the unity and spirit that fuelled Sundowns’ title charge. Goals from Iqraam Rayners and Arthur Sales underlined the club’s attacking prowess as they cruised to their third consecutive 3-0 victory.
“A great feeling, great emotions, great feelings, great sensations. We’ve gone through a lot of wonderful emotions, which have brought to the team the feelings that we needed,” Cardoso said.
“I think that the values that we developed in the locker room, the way we overcame the worst moments, and we really developed a good sense of love, of brotherhood, among us.”
He credited the transformation of team morale as a key factor behind the club’s resurgence under his leadership: “The spirit in the changeroom has been a wonderful pleasure to experience in these last months. I think that when I arrived obviously, it was clear that there was something that needed to change, mostly the energy. It had nothing to do with the work of the previous coaches, who I respect so much, because it was not a matter of results, it was really a matter of the atmosphere.”
A ‘wonderful’ South African chapter
Cardoso, who replaced Manqoba Mngqithi in December, described his time in South Africa so far as nothing short of inspirational.
“It has been a wonderful experience to be at Mamelodi Sundowns and a wonderful experience to work with this group of players. To feel the love of the fans, the way [South Africans] embrace football is a wonderful experience.
“But it has also been hard, very hard working, but the energy that we receive [in return] also pushed us so much forward, pushes that we always felt excited to wake up and go to work. I really feel always excited to go to work, so that’s how you overcome difficulties.”
“Celebrate in style” – but eyes on more records
Cardoso made it clear that the team is not done yet. “We got to celebrate in style because we got records to be beaten and points to achieve, I think history has been written. Ambition is key and keep going and new match on Sunday to be played.”
The title is Cardoso’s first in South Africa and adds to his growing legacy after winning the Tunisian league with Esperance last season.
“Well, it’s unbelievable obviously, being in two years – champion of Tunisia and to come here and be two times in the final of Champions League – let’s hope this season that we can make and pick the trophy,” he said.
“It’s for me as a coach a wonderful, it’s unbelievable and I just want people to understand that comes from hard work, very, very hard work. It’s very exciting but very tough to be a coach of this level.”
What’s next for Sundowns?
With one final Betway Premiership fixture against Magesi on Sunday, Sundowns will look to cap off the domestic season in front of their home fans at Loftus Versfeld. But all attention is now shifting toward Pyramids FC and a long-awaited CAF Champions League triumph.
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As the Sundowns faithful bask in yet another league title, the mission is clear: conquer Africa.
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