Cardoso reaches 100-game milestone as Sundowns prepare for key FIFA dates

Mamelodi Sundowns coach Miguel Cardoso has reached 100 matches in charge of the club, giving him time during the long FIFA international windows to assess a record that includes a league title and African Champions League success.

The Portuguese manager marked the landmark with Sundowns’ victory in the African-Asian-Pacific Cup. That win secured their place in the Challenger Cup, the final hurdle before a potential FIFA Intercontinental Cup final against PSG.

Cardoso’s first match as Sundowns head coach was a 1-0 victory over Raja Casablanca in the CAF Champions League group stage on 15 December 2024.

He took charge of 38 matches during the 2024/25 campaign, followed by 50 games last season. Sundowns have played 12 matches so far this term, bringing Cardoso’s total to 100 across all competitions.

The breakdown includes 59 Betway Premiership matches, 24 CAF Champions League fixtures, three FIFA Club World Cup games, one FIFA Intercontinental Cup match, six MTN8 ties, six Nedbank Cup games and one Carling KnockOut fixture.

In the Betway Premiership, Cardoso has overseen 44 wins, 11 draws and four defeats. That record helped Sundowns claim one league title during his time at the club.

His Champions League record stands at 11 wins, nine draws and four losses. Sundowns lifted the trophy last season, earning a place in the FIFA Intercontinental Cup, where their campaign also included the African-Asian-Pacific Cup victory over Al Hali Saudi FC.

At the FIFA Club World Cup, Sundowns recorded one win, one draw and one defeat.

The domestic knockout competitions have produced seven victories from 13 matches but no trophy so far. Sundowns have won three games in the MTN8, four in the Nedbank Cup and none in the Carling KnockOut.

Cardoso will have another opportunity to deliver domestic knockout silverware when Sundowns face Orlando Pirates in the MTN8 final on 10 October.

Overall, the 54-year-old has won 64 of his 100 matches at Sundowns, giving him a 64% success rate across all competitions.

His team have scored 192 goals during that period and conceded 85.

The 100-match milestone comes as Cardoso prepares to use the extended FIFA dates to review Sundowns’ progress across a demanding schedule that has included domestic, continental and international competition.