Miguel Cardoso Explains Why He Chose to Stay at Mamelodi Sundowns

Miguel Cardoso Explains Why He Chose to Stay at Mamelodi Sundowns

  • Miguel Cardoso has explained the thinking behind his decision to remain at Mamelodi Sundowns, with his latest comments offering insight into what convinced him to continue
  • The Sundowns coach has opened up about his relationship with the club and the shared vision that played a major role in his decision to extend his stay
  • Cardoso is now preparing for a huge MTN8 final against Orlando Pirates, with another major test awaiting the Champions League-winning Sundowns coach
Miguel Cardoso
Miguel Cardoso has explained why he decided to continue his journey with Mamelodi Sundowns. Image: FIFA
Source: Getty Images

Miguel Cardoso has explained his decision to extend his stay at Mamelodi Sundowns, saying the agreement reflects a strong alignment between himself, his technical team and the club.

The Portuguese coach committed his future to the Brazilians after guiding them to CAF Champions League success. While Sundowns did not publicly disclose the details of the agreement, Cardoso has now provided insight into why he was happy to continue in Tshwane.

Speaking ahead of Saturday's MTN8 final against Orlando Pirates, Cardoso said the decision was based on shared values and a common footballing vision.

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"Everything was done during the summer, and it's clear that both the club and myself share the same values in terms of how we see the game in South Africa and the continent," Cardoso said, according to SABC Sport.

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He added that his coaching staff were "happy and comfortable at the club", while Sundowns had also expressed satisfaction with their work.

Sundowns coach focused on the next challenge

Cardoso's comments come as Sundowns prepare for a high-profile clash with Pirates at Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban on Saturday, 10 October 2026.

The final offers Cardoso another chance to add domestic silverware after his continental success. The match is also significant because Pirates have established themselves as a major force in South African cup football.

Cardoso acknowledged the occasion's importance but said his team would approach it like any other fixture against their rivals.

"We understand very well the importance of such a game and what is at stake because it means so much for the fans," he said.

The PSL has confirmed that the MTN8 final is sold out, with kick-off scheduled for 18:00.

Cardoso wants officials to rise to the occasion

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Mamelodi Sundowns vs Orlando Pirates: Bafana legend reveals MTN8 final winner and score prediction

The Sundowns coach also called for a strong performance from the match officials, stressing the importance of the occasion.

"I hope the referees will be the best team on the field," Cardoso said.

He added that Sundowns would aim to "show a great image to the world of South African football" while setting an example of how a major final should be contested.

For Cardoso, the contract extension provides continuity as he looks to build on Sundowns' recent success and compete for more trophies.

Sundowns stars line up for CAF Awards recognition

Briefly News previously reported that Mamelodi Sundowns’ Champions League triumph has brought further recognition, with several of the club’s biggest names now featuring prominently in the early 2026 CAF Awards nominations.

The latest recognition adds another layer to an already memorable campaign for the South African champions, but there is more to the nominations than meets the eye.

Source: Briefly News

Authors:
Dzikamai Matara avatar

Dzikamai Matara Dzikamai Matara is a sports and news writer at Briefly News with over a decade of journalism and editorial experience across Southern African digital media. Prior to joining Briefly News, Dzikamai served as Senior News & Current Affairs Editor at iHarare for six years, overseeing breaking news desks and sports feature coverage. He brings extensive experience in sports profiling, live match reporting, and investigative current affairs analysis. Email him at dzikamai.matara@briefly.co.za