The Final Lesson: How Miguel Cardoso Turned Setbacks into Success

Author: Erica Mathye

TEN YEARS - that is how long Mamelodi Sundowns waited to stitch the second star onto the badge. A decade of near misses, heartbreaks, reinventions and relentless pursuit finally came to fruition in 2026 when Masandawana reclaimed the CAF Champions League crown. After blood, sweat and countless attempts, the Pretoria giants stood once again at the summit of African football.

For coach Miguel Cardoso, the triumph was the reward at the end of a season that tested every fibre of the Club. The 2025/26 campaign was a storm of highs and lows. Sundowns lost the domestic league title on the final day after eight straight seasons of dominance. They exited two cup competitions on penalties. Yet through every possible setback, the team refused to shatter.

“Even when results did not go our way domestically, we never lost belief in who we were. The penalty shootout cup exits showed our grit and how close we were in every competition. What mattered most was staying connected to the positives around the team, and that energy carried us all the way to the biggest title on the continent,” said Miguel Cardoso, reflecting on the 2025/26 season.

For Masandawana, the mission was clear: end the ten-year wait and bring home the second star. For Coach Cardoso, the journey carried a deeper meaning. After losing back‑to‑back finals, he stepped into his third final with scars of lessons and a belief forged in adversity.

Asked about the mindset required to keep going he said “Persistence and consistency got me here because you need the right mindset every day. I stayed consistent through good and bad moments and the reward came. It was not always easy and emotions had to be managed.”

The Portuguese tactician credits his family for carrying him through the darkest stretches. “My family supported me through everything. My son, my younger brother, everyone. They kept me grounded. In the end, you must be grateful for what God gives you. Winning this title after ten years reminds us that we achieved something important as a club, but it would not have been possible without the support of our individual families and the Motsepe Family.”

Despite missing out on the league title, Sundowns delivered one of the strongest second-half surges in the league, winning ten straight matches after the December/January break to record the longest winning streak at the start of a calendar year.

“We could have pushed it further, but Stellenbosch held us to a draw. I believe we could have taken that streak to the final day, because the team was playing with confidence, rhythm and a real sense of purpose. That run showed the level we were operating at.”

Cardoso also reserved special praise for Club Chairman Tlhopie Motsepe, whose leadership he believes steadied the team during the most emotional moments of the CAFCL run.

“The chairman was incredibly supportive and present in many moments. In some moments, he took over the room, especially after the match in Rwanda against Al Hilal. Football is not only tactical but also emotional. He created an environment that helped us manage our emotions and stay united. Success comes from support, from the small messages from the president, the Motsepe family and our own families.”

More often than not, the relationship between a coach and a sporting director is not always easy. Miguel indicated that their relationship is guided by a common goal: “My relationship with Flemming Berg is one of mutual respect. Our roles are clear; I keep my space and independence. In the end, we have to collaborate to achieve the set goals.”

Decoding Miguel Cardoso — Insights From His Inner Circle

Senior coach Steve Komphela and assistant coach Fabio Fernandes offered rare insight into head coach Miguel Cardoso.

Komphela shared the mindset of Cardoso, “He is intense, detailed and extremely hard-working. He is also professional, disciplined and relentless. For success to become reality, you must be relentless.”

He also highlights Cardoso’s deep connection to family, both his own and the Yellow Nation family.

“This environment is tense. We work unbelievable hours, but he is refreshing in that he is family-oriented, always speaking to his loved ones. In the Sundowns context, that extends to players, coaches, staff and supporters. We are family. It is a pleasure to work with him.”

Assistant coach Fabio Fernandes, Cardoso’s friend and countryman, speaks to the human side behind the intensity.

“Our friendship is a brotherhood. He has a heart and shows it. He goes the extra mile for the people he loves. He is a workaholic who wants perfection, but he separates work from friendship. Outside football, he is completely different.”

What Comes Next for Bafana Ba Style?

Sundowns’ triumph is more than a trophy. It is a turning point. It ends years of continental frustration, elevates Cardoso’s coaching legacy and cements the Club’s status among Africa’s elite.

But the celebration comes with a demanding future.

The 2026/27 season will be one of the busiest in Sundowns’ history. Alongside their four domestic competitions and the CAF Champions League, Masandawana will now compete in the CAF Super Cup and the FIFA Intercontinental Cup. The schedule will be hectic, the expectations even bigger — and with ambition rising this fast, Masandawana are already looking upward. After all, for a Club that lives by The Sky Is The Limit motto, why stop at the sky when there is still so much left to conquer!

Thato Moeng in Rabat: Witness to Sundowns’ Second Star

Sundowns Ladies and the Spirit of WAFCON

Nuno Santos’ World Cup Wishes for Portugal

Khulumani Ndamane’s Journey from Sundowns Debut to the FIFA World Cup

Inside the Sundowns Ladies Travel Bags

Mamelodi Sundowns Magazine

Categories

Social Footprints