Mamelodi Sundowns, under the strategic guidance of coach Miguel Cardoso, are poised for an ambitious 2026/27 season, with the Portuguese tactician declaring the team's readiness to compete on all fronts. This declaration follows a 2025/26 campaign that delivered significant continental success while narrowly missing out on domestic league honours.
Cardoso, who assumed the head coach role in December 2024, reflected on the previous season's performance. The Brazilians secured their second CAF Champions League title, defeating Moroccan side AS FARTeam·AS FAR in the final, ending a ten-year wait for Africa's premier club competition trophy. However, their domestic league aspirations in the South African Premiership concluded with a second-place finish, just one point behind champions Orlando PiratesTeam·Orlando Pirates.
The coach attributed the team's slow start to the 2025/26 campaign to a reliance on young players during its early stages. This factor, he believes, contributed to dropped points that ultimately proved decisive in the domestic title race. Despite this, the club's management has expressed full backing for Cardoso, committing to his project and mandate to remain at the helm.
A significant learning experience for Mamelodi Sundowns was their participation in the 2025 FIFA Club World CupCompetition·FIFA Club World Cup. The team earned four points in the tournament, gaining valuable international recognition and experience. Cardoso views this as a crucial step in elevating the team's global competitiveness, aligning with his primary goal of delivering sustained continental success for the club.
Looking ahead to the 2026/27 season, Cardoso's focus is firmly on challenging for multiple trophies. The club's pre-season preparations are geared towards ensuring the squad is both mentally and physically prepared for the demanding schedule across various competitions. The ambition to "fight on all fronts" underscores a strategic intent to convert their continental prowess into comprehensive dominance, both domestically and internationally.
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