Miguel Cardoso Reflects on Facing Rulani Mokwena in Mamelodi Sundowns’ Next CAFCL Match
- Miguel Cardoso has shared his thoughts on coming up against Rulani Mokwena in Mamelodi Sundowns' next game in the CAF Champions League
- The Portuguese tactician led the Brazilians to victory in their opening group game against Saint Eloi Lupopo
- The Premier Soccer League giants' next match in the group phase would be against MC Alger in Algeria
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Mamelodi Sundowns head coach Miguel Cardoso has reflected on the Brazilians facing their former manager, Rulani Mokwena, in their next CAF Champions League match.
Source: Getty Images
Last season's finalist began this season's group stage with a 3-1 home win over Saint Eloi Lupopo, a team that knocked out Masandawana's Premier Soccer League rivals, Orlando Pirates, from the competition.
Cardoso’s men moved to the top of their group table, tied on points with Al Hilal but edging ahead on goal difference, thanks to the three goals scored against Lupopo, with the Sudanese giants scoring only two goals in their 2-1 victory over Mokwena’s MC Alger on Friday.
Mokwena left Sundowns before the start of the 2024-25 season, with Manqoba Mngqithi replacing him at the dugout. Manqoba was sacked last season, with Cardoso also coming in as his replacement.
Since taking over the coaching role at Sundowns, Cardoso has won the Betway Premiership and led them to the final of last season's CAF Champions League, where they unfortunately lost the title to Pyramids FC.
Cardoso reflects on facing Mokwena in CAFCL
Cardoso said that although the Brazilians will face Mokwena’s team in Algeria next weekend, they will approach the game the same way they approach any other opponent.
He downplayed the significance of coming up against the former Sundowns coach, describing it as just a minor detail.
Source: Getty Images
The Portuguese tactician explained that their focus is simply on the next Champions League match, where they will analyse the opposition’s behaviour, prepare accordingly for the trip, and hope their best performance will be enough to secure three points. For him, it is business as usual.
Sundowns will take on MC Alger on Friday, November 28, 2025, at 21:00, before wrapping up the year with a Betway Premiership encounter against Siwelele FC on December 3, 2025.
Here is what fans are saying about Cardoso's reaction to facing Mokwena in the CAF Champions League.
Manny Daggz said:
"Rhulani Mokwena will take Miguel Cardoso to the cleaners."
EL Espolon wrote:
"Lately, Rhulani talks too much; he won't beat Sundowns."
Bongani Mgubela commented:
"I trust Pep Lite as a coach. However, his team is too weak. I don't see them troubling Downs. Lost once because it was their first game in the group stage. If you watched their game against Hilal, you'd agree with me."
Siphiwe McLovin shared:
"He should know that Rulani built this Sundowns team, after Pitso, of course."
El profesor added:
"When they tried to scare him with Rulani Mokwena, the Don just responded with facts. Rulani is just a detail of MC Alger. The Don is really dealing with journ."
Cardoso's thoughts on Shalulile's rise
Briefly News also reported that Cardoso expressed his thoughts about Peter Shalulile's rise after being linked with a move away from Sundowns.
The Namibian striker scored the Brazilians' only goal in their 1-1 draw against Orlando Pirates in the Betway Premiership earlier in November 2025.
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Proofreading by Kelly Lippke, copy editor at Briefly.co.za.
Source: Briefly News
