Cardoso set to join Mosimane in Mamelodi Sundowns’ 100-game club

Miguel Cardoso is set to become only the second head coach to oversee 100 matches at Mamelodi Sundowns, joining Pitso Mosimane in the club’s exclusive milestone group.

The Portuguese coach has reached the landmark after surviving criticism and establishing himself in the demanding position since his appointment on 10 December 2024.

Cardoso’s first match in charge of the Tshwane club was a 1-0 victory over Raja Casablanca on 15 December 2024. He reached 50 games in the role during the 1-0 win against Golden Arrows on 24 September 2025.

His 100th match will have covered all domestic competitions, as well as the CAF Champions League, FIFA Club World Cup and FIFA Intercontinental Cup.

Two-thirds of Cardoso’s matches at Sundowns have ended in victory. He has recorded 63 wins across all competitions, while the team have lost 14 times and drawn 22 matches.

The defeats include penalty shoot-out losses to Marumo Gallants and Orlando Pirates in cup competitions last season.

Cardoso, who is 54, has also remained unbeaten at home in the Betway Premiership after 28 matches as the host team.

Only Mosimane has previously lasted as long in the high-pressure Sundowns role. Both coaches have won the domestic championship and the CAF Champions League during their time at the club.

The milestone also marks the longest spell Cardoso has completed as a head coach. In each of his five previous jobs, he failed to remain in charge for a full year.

Those previous positions were at Esperance, during a second spell with Rio Ave, AEK Athens, Celta Vigo and Nantes.

Cardoso’s 100th match comes during a period that includes a significant international fixture for Sundowns. The Brazilians host Al Ahli at Loftus Versfeld on Saturday at 15:00 in a match that will also serve as the African-Asian-Pacific Cup.

The winners will advance to the Challenger Cup, where they will face the winners of the Derby of the Americas. That match is between CONCACAF champions Toluca and the CONMEBOL winners.

The Challenger Cup will be played in December, with the winner progressing to a final against Paris Saint-Germain.