Mamelodi Sundowns head coach Miguel Cardoso has revealed a powerful message delivered by club chairman Tlhopie Motsepe on his first day at the club, following their latest continental success in the CAF Champions League.
The Portuguese coach, who joined Sundowns in December 2024, has overseen a period of sustained progress that has already delivered major silverware. In his debut season, he guided the team to the Betway Premiership title while also reaching the final of the CAF Champions League, where they finished as runners-up.
This season, Cardoso went one better on the continental stage, leading the club to their second Champions League crown. However, their domestic campaign proved more challenging, with Sundowns finishing second in the league after a campaign marked by inconsistency in results.
Despite the mixed domestic form, the coach has consistently spoken of strong backing from the club’s leadership, which he now says played a key role in sustaining belief throughout the season.
Speaking after the team returned home from Morocco following their continental triumph, Cardoso reflected on the early message he received from Motsepe, saying it has stayed with him throughout his tenure and taken on greater meaning after achieving continental success.
He said:
“I can also not move forward without remembering one moment and chairman will allow me to make it public,” said Cardoso.
“It was inside our family the first day that we trained, the first training session that we had. You remember we went on the gym, and the chairman presented me to the players. And he said this is the coach that is going to take us to the Holy Land. It’s here chairman it’s here. It’s absolutely amazing to be able to accomplish that desire.
“It’s also amazing to have received permanently stimulus energy and focus on the direction that we have to have in common. And I had thought about this moment, about the opportunity to tell the chairman exactly, go make that flashback, and go to that moment that I remember so well.
“And I have the chance to really one day tell him we’ve done it and it’s the opportunity to make it public and thank you very much for it.”
Cardoso’s remarks underline the sense of long-term vision within the club’s leadership structure, with Motsepe’s early confidence in the coach now being reflected in the team’s continental achievements.
Since his appointment, Cardoso has been tasked with maintaining Sundowns’ domestic dominance while also pushing the club further on the African stage. His first season saw immediate success at home, while also laying the groundwork for deeper progress in continental competition.
This term, that progress was fully realised in the form of Champions League glory, even as the club fell short of retaining their league title. The balance of success and setback has defined his second year in charge, but the coach’s comments suggest unity within the club has remained strong throughout.
The triumph in Morocco marks a significant milestone in Cardoso’s tenure and adds another major honour to Sundowns’ growing reputation in African football.
As the team looks ahead, the focus will now turn to sustaining that level of performance across all competitions, with the foundation of trust between coach, players, and leadership appearing central to their recent achievements.
