Sundowns turn to Premiership after ‘big punch’ of Champions League exit

Mamelodi Sundowns coach Miguel Cardoso says his side must use their shock CAF Champions League elimination as motivation to reclaim the Betway Premiership title, insisting there are still “so many more things to win” in 2026-27.

The defending champions were knocked out before the group stage after Friday’s 1-1 draw with Wiliete SC at Loftus Versfeld. Sundowns had reached the group stage in each of the previous 11 seasons, but Wiliete advanced on away goals after the first leg in Angola ended 0-0.

Tashreeq Matthews put Sundowns ahead in the 11th minute, but they failed to convert further chances. Mabululu equalised for the Angolan club in the 49th minute, with Wiliete’s dangerous attack eventually securing a notable qualification.

Cardoso said Sundowns had “controlled completely” but had not scored the goals required.

The Portuguese coach has significant credit after leading Sundowns to the CAF Champions League title last season, their second in the competition and first since 2016. Since replacing Manqoba Mngqithi in December 2024, Cardoso has also overseen successive Champions League final appearances.

Those achievements came alongside setbacks, including Sundowns losing the Betway Premiership title to Orlando Pirates last season after an eight-campaign winning run. Cardoso defended his record, saying it contained more successes than failures.

He now expects his squad to respond quickly, with a Carling Knockout Cup qualifier against Marumo Gallants at Loftus Versfeld on Tuesday, an important Premiership fixture and the CAF Super Cup still ahead.

“It’s a big blow this one, it’s a big punch in our faces, yes,” Cardoso said. “But what will make us stronger is how we are going to react, because there’s so many more things to win.”

He acknowledged the Champions League exit was difficult for the club and coaching staff, particularly after Sundowns had reached the final for three consecutive years and were expected to make the group stage for a 12th successive season.

“Great empires also come from ashes,” he said. “Tonight is a dark night, obviously, but it’s a dark night that has to give us the energy and that purpose to move forward and build more.”

Sundowns have been dealing with a demanding schedule across seven competitions and injuries to several key players. Eight members of their core squad also had no off-season after representing Bafana Bafana at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Since winning the 2025-26 Champions League final against AS FAR of Morocco in May, the club has lost Jayden Adams in tragic circumstances and seen Khuliso Mudau, Grant Kekana, Keanu Cupido, Aubrey Modiba and Ronwen Williams affected by injuries. Teboho Mokoena was injured in the first leg against Wiliete and could not start the return match, although Williams and Modiba returned.

Cardoso said the current team was weaker than the one that finished last season’s Champions League campaign, but refused to use absences as an excuse.

“We should have won this match with the players we had on the pitch and those who we introduced from the bench,” he said. “We created enough to win. Basically we didn’t lose the match, we drew two matches.”

He added: “There’s no excuses we all should have done better.”

Sundowns have already won the MTN8, ending a domestic cup drought dating back to 2022 with a 2-0 victory over Orlando Pirates last month. They also beat Al-Ahli Saudi 1-0 in September to win the African-Asian-Pacific Cup, part of FIFA’s ongoing Intercontinental Cup.

The CAF Super Cup against USM Alger takes place at Loftus Versfeld on November 8, while the Nedbank Cup offers another route to silverware. Cardoso also highlighted the club’s record of reaching two domestic cup semi-finals and two finals in four years, two successive Champions League finals, and winning two trophies from two finals this season while leading the league.