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Miguel Cardoso, Mamelodi Sundowns, August 2025Backpage
Seth Willis

Miguel Cardoso accused of eliminating Mamelodi Sundowns 'football philosophy' - I fear we are becoming just an ordinary team

The former Esperance coach is in his second season at Masandawana who have been dominating the South African footballing scene. However, a club legend is unhappy with what the Portuguese tactician is implementing at the club which he believes is foreign and doesn't align with the team's tradition.

  • Rhulani Mokwena, May 2025Backpage

    Has Miguel Cardoso changed Masandawana's trademark?

    In the last couple of years, defending Premier Soccer League champions Mamelodi Sundowns have been playing passing football, with build-ups from the back to the final third.

    Former coach Rhulani Mokwena excelled in this style, as his team delivered seamlessly even against the best teams on the continent.

    However, the approach has not been the same under his successor, Manqoba Mngqithi, and later Miguel Cardoso.

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  • Mamelodi Sundowns players celebrate Tashreeq Matthews' goalBackpagepix

    What are the stats for Sundowns this season?

    The Brazilians have played 11 games so far in the ongoing 2025/26 season.

    Eight have been in the Premier Soccer League, where they are unbeaten, but have drawn three games already.

    Cardoso's men have scored 13 goals and conceded just three, which puts them just behind Sekhukhune United, who have 19 points, having played a game less.

    It has been direct football for Sundowns, and at times they have even applied long balls, commonly referred to as 'Helicopter Football'. 

  • Mamelodi Sundowns fans

    Mahlangu adamant Sundowns are losing their identity

    Masandawana legend Sello Mahlangu insists the club doesn't play a beautiful game anymore despite recent wins. 

    "While we are happy with the wins, there is a concerning trend where good football is disappearing," he told  KickOff.

    "In football, results can often cloud our judgment. When a team is winning, it can be challenging for people to assess the performance of the coach accurately.

    "The victories are there, but the football philosophy is lacking. Time will reveal the cracks, especially as we see other teams being compared to us. Unfortunately, I fear we are becoming just an ordinary team.

    "Sundowns is known for its style of play, not just for winning. We should aim to win with flair. If you look at Bafana Bafana right now, it's clear that Sundowns has changed the style of play in South African football, similar to what happened with Barcelona and Spain," Mahlangu concluded.

  • What is the next hurdle for Sundowns?

    The next outing for Sundowns will be at King Zwelithini Stadium on Wednesday, where they will be playing Manqoba's Golden Arrows.

    Coach Cardoso is under pressure to win, which will ensure they stay close to surprise package Babina Noko.