Mamelodi Sundowns coach Miguel Cardoso urges South Africa to follow Morocco’s football model

Mamelodi Sundowns coach Miguel Cardoso has hailed the rapid development of Moroccan football, describing the North African country as a model that South Africa should study if it wants to improve the quality and competitiveness of its game.

The Portuguese coach believes Morocco has made remarkable progress by creating the right conditions for footballers to develop, compete and perform at the highest level.

Speaking to the media, as reported by IOL, Cardoso called on South African football authorities to rethink their approach to developing the sport, pointing to Morocco as one of Africa’s biggest success stories.

According to Cardoso, Morocco has gone through a significant transformation and has established itself as one of the dominant forces in African football by investing heavily in infrastructure and improving the overall environment surrounding the game.

The Sundowns boss particularly highlighted the quality of stadiums, training facilities and match-day conditions in Morocco, arguing that such investments have a direct impact on the quality of football produced.

“There is a country in Africa that is completely pulling away from the rest of the continent,” Cardoso said, referring to Morocco.

The Portuguese tactician believes the conditions created in Morocco allow players to focus on football and consistently produce high-level performances.

Cardoso stressed that South African football must look beyond the talent available in the country and pay greater attention to the environment in which players operate.

He urged football officials to study the policies and structures implemented in Morocco and consider how similar improvements could be introduced in South Africa.

For Cardoso, better infrastructure, modern stadiums and improved match-day conditions are essential if South Africa is to raise its footballing standards and create a more competitive domestic game.

Morocco’s recent success at both club and international level has been accompanied by significant investment in football infrastructure, while the country has also strengthened its position as one of the continent’s leading footballing nations.

Cardoso believes South Africa can learn from that progress and use the Moroccan experience as a blueprint for its own development.

The Sundowns coach’s comments come after he has experienced football across different countries during his coaching career, giving him a broader perspective on the factors required to build a strong football ecosystem.

He maintains that improving facilities and the overall football environment will ultimately benefit players, clubs and supporters while raising the standard of competition.

For Cardoso, Morocco’s rise demonstrates that talent alone is not enough. Creating the right conditions for players to develop and perform can make a significant difference, and he believes South African football must take similar steps if it wants to close the gap with the continent’s leading football nations.