Cardoso on course to join Mosimane in Sundowns’ 100-game club

Miguel Cardoso is set to become only the second coach to reach 100 matches in sole charge of Mamelodi Sundowns, after the club’s new season begins in the MTN8 on Saturday evening.

The opening fixture of the campaign will be the first of 12 games Cardoso needs to complete before reaching the landmark. The start of Sundowns’ season was delayed following the death of Jayden Adams.

Cardoso has overseen 88 matches since taking charge, with his first game coming against Raja Casablanca on 15 December 2024. The 54-year-old Portuguese coach will therefore move within touching distance of a milestone that has previously been achieved by only one Sundowns head coach.

Pitso Mosimane remains the sole coach to have reached at least 100 games in charge of the club before eventually leaving after more than 300 matches. His time at Sundowns included periods of intense pressure, particularly when results failed to arrive early in his tenure and supporters made their dissatisfaction clear.

Cardoso’s path has also been challenging, despite him winning most of the matches during his spell in charge. His critics have remained ready to question him whenever results or performances have provided an opportunity.

However, winning the CAF Champions League has strengthened his position. That trophy is regarded as the most important prize at Sundowns and means Cardoso is now assured of remaining in the job long enough to reach 100 matches.

His current spell in charge is already the longest head-coaching appointment of his career. Cardoso will mark two years at Chloorkop in December.

Before joining Sundowns, he did not complete a full year in any of his previous five positions. Those jobs included spells at Esperance, a second stint at Rio Ave, AEK Athens, Celta Vigo and Nantes.

The number of matches Cardoso requires to reach the century could fall quickly during the opening weeks of the campaign. Seven of the remaining 12 games may be played this month if Sundowns progress to the semi-finals of the MTN8.

The new season will therefore begin with Cardoso not only defending Sundowns’ status as one of the leading clubs on the continent, but also moving towards a landmark previously associated with Mosimane’s long tenure.

Sundowns’ first match will count as game 89 of Cardoso’s reign. Twelve games later, he could join Mosimane as the only coach to have completed 100 matches in sole charge at the club.