Cardoso and Mokwena compared after 91 games at Mamelodi Sundowns

Mamelodi Sundowns head coach Miguel Cardoso has reached 91 matches in charge of the club, matching the number managed by his predecessor Rulani Mokwena as the two coaches’ records come under comparison.

Cardoso reached the landmark during Sundowns’ 3-2 victory over Golden Arrows in the second leg of their MTN8 semi-final. The Portuguese coach took over from Manqoba Mngqithi in December 2024.

Mokwena also managed 91 matches as Sundowns’ sole head coach, having held the position from October 2022 until June 2024.

The figures show a narrow advantage for Mokwena in terms of results. The coach from Soweto recorded 60 wins, 22 draws and nine defeats, giving him a win rate of 66%.

Cardoso, meanwhile, has won 58 of his 91 matches, drawn 20 and lost 13. His win rate stands at 64%.

The contrast between the two records extends to their achievements in domestic and continental competition.

During Mokwena’s time in charge, Sundowns won the inaugural African Football League. However, they lost two domestic cup finals in the same 2023/24 season, with Orlando Pirates defeating them in both the MTN8 and the Nedbank Cup.

Those defeats denied Mokwena the chance to complete a quadruple. Sundowns had also secured the Betway Premiership title during that campaign, doing so by a commanding 23-point margin.

The Tshwane giants had previously won the league by 16 points in Mokwena’s first season as the club’s sole head coach. He had been appointed after his spell as part of the coaching structure that included Manqoba Mngqithi.

Cardoso’s first campaign brought another dominant league success. Sundowns finished 12 points clear of their rivals in the Betway Premiership, despite the coach joining almost halfway through the season.

He also guided the club to the CAF Champions League final, where Sundowns were beaten 3-2 on aggregate by Pyramids.

The former Esperance de Tunis mentor then missed out on the Betway Premiership title to Orlando Pirates by a single point last season. He responded by leading Sundowns to the CAF Champions League trophy, the second in the club’s history.

His latest achievement has been reaching his first domestic cup final since taking charge at the Chloorkop-based club. Sundowns secured their place in the MTN8 final after overcoming Golden Arrows on the away-goals rule, following a 3-3 draw on aggregate in the semi-final.

The 91-match comparison therefore gives Mokwena the better statistical record, with two more victories and a higher win percentage. Cardoso, however, has added a major continental honour to his record and remains in contention for further silverware.

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