The fans of defending champions Mamelodi Sundowns believe they have seen enough, and have called for front office to start looking for coach Miguel Cardoso’s successor following a rocky start to the season.
South African football has been characterised by the unrelenting dominance of the Mamelodi Sundowns club, who have used their unending well of funds from their owner Patrice Motsepe, to secure the best possible talent from across Africa and other continents. This dominance can be seen through a number of different ways, including the fact that the Pretoria based team boasts the Premier Soccer League (PSL) champions title since the 2018/19.
Winning becoming synonymous with Sundowns, the club has set a certain standard which their players need to reach in order to be deemed worthy of the squad. However, the beginning of the 2025/26 season has come with more confusion and disappointment than the team and their fans anticipated, as they have only managed to secure two wins and two draws in four games.
Besides the expectations created by the team’s dominance, their impressive performance during the FIFA Club World Cup this July, where they were among only three African teams to qualify, gave both their fans and critics much to be excited about when it comes to the PSL. Following their exit in the tournament, the general consensus was that the gap between Sundowns and other local teams would only get wider.
Thierry Henry praises Mamelodi Sundowns for their performance at the FIFA Club World Cup.
He said they brought excitement to the game in Group F.
He said their style of football kept people on the edge of their seats, but football just doesn’t go your way sometimes. pic.twitter.com/YCcOvQ4187
— Africa Facts Zone (@AfricaFactsZone) June 29, 2025
Mamelodi Sundowns is the 18th best Club in world. A top 20 club.
That is no mean feat for a team that was expected to “take pictures” at the FIFA Club World Cup. #Sundowns 👆🇿🇦 #FIFACWC pic.twitter.com/YISFfiq1fI
— Mamelodi Sundowns Sharpeville Branch® (@MS_Sharpeville) June 27, 2025
However, after four games of South Africa’s giants failing to secure convincing wins against some local teams, fans believe they have seen enough, and believe that the Sundowns-Cardoso era has run its course. Fans did not hold back after Sundowns struggled to score and win against a Kaizer Chiefs team that is trying to rebuild after failing to qualify for the top eight last season.
The stadium was filled with “Cardoso must go” chants after the game as the players went around the stadium thanking fans.
Mamelodi Sundowns fans want their coach, Miguel Cardoso who recently won Coach of the Season, to be sacked. pic.twitter.com/x4yc4zrrlk
— MDN NEWS (@MDNnewss) August 27, 2025
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