Cardoso reflects on standards as Sundowns chase CAF group stage berth

Miguel Cardoso is approaching a year in charge at Mamelodi Sundowns with a clear understanding of the high standards he inherited and the expectations that come with the job.

Since taking over, the Portuguese coach has guided Sundowns to 33 wins in 53 matches, combining domestic dominance with continental ambition. 

The Brazilians currently sit atop the Betway Premiership, demonstrating their continued strength in South African football.

Sundowns, who finished runners-up in last season’s CAF Champions League, coasted to a 5-1 win over NPFL champions in Nigeria last week and are now major favourites to advance to their 11th consecutive campaign in the group stages. 

Their upcoming second-leg preliminary round clash at Loftus Versfeld on Sunday will confirm whether they secure progression, as they look to continue their continental journey this season.

However, the season has not been without setbacks for Cardoso’s men.

Sundowns failed to lift the MTN8 trophy and were knocked out of the Carling Knockout Cup by Marumo Gallants, underscoring the high expectations and narrow margins for a club of their stature.

Cardoso has embraced the pressures that come with coaching a team of Sundowns’ calibre, acknowledging that success is measured not just in trophies but in maintaining standards, ambition, and growth.

“There is a conception that a team that reaches the final of the Champions League and is not able to win it, fails,” Cardoso said when reflecting on his tenure. 

“I have another perspective. We succeeded in going to the final but didn’t reach the best desire that we had, which was to win, and that is why we deal with emotions that we don’t get over.”

He is quick to stress that Sundowns’ achievements should not be diminished simply because the ultimate prize remains elusive. 

“Everybody had so much expectations, and I understand it, but we should never allow that to make us smaller than we really are and not praise that we reach the final and moved up the CAF rankings.”

He also acknowledges the challenge of sustaining high performance in a club where expectations are sky-high. 

“It is always interesting because there is always the question about when is the best. It seems like it is never enough. When we win five, it seems the guys (opponents) are weak. 

“It is never enough, and it seems there are always very high standards towards us. But it is good. It means that people believe in what we do. It means that the standards have been put very high.”

Maintaining momentum after international tournaments and high-profile competitions is never easy according to the Portuguese 

“We had a tough period after the Club World Cup. What you should expect is that the work of people here is very serious, very strong, very committed, and that is the way we see the development of the team,” he said.

As Sundowns prepare to return to Loftus Versfeld on Sunday to confirm their place in the CAF Champions League group stages, Cardoso’s philosophy remains clear: ambition is essential, perspective is crucial, and the pursuit of continual improvement — both on and off the pitch — defines his approach at South Africa’s dominant club.