Mamelodi Sundowns Reflect on Historic CAF Champions League Triumph and Future Plans
After securing their first CAF Champions League title in a decade, Mamelodi Sundowns are now turning their attention to contract talks with head coach Miguel Cardoso and veteran captain Themba Zwane. The victory, achieved through a 2‑1 aggregate win over AS FAR after a 1‑1 draw in Rabat, ended a ten‑year wait for continental glory and sparked immediate discussion about the club’s next steps.
Cardoso’s Impact and Contract Situation
Miguel Cardoso, a 53‑year‑old Portuguese tactician, joined Sundowns in December 2024 to replace Manqoba Mngqithi. His first season delivered the CAF Champions League trophy that had eluded the club since 2014. According to club chairman Tlhopie Motsepe, the board will hold talks with Cardoso in the coming weeks to discuss his future, although the exact expiry date of his current contract has not been disclosed.
Motsepe highlighted the positive atmosphere surrounding the negotiations, noting that fans at the airport expressed strong support for the coach’s retention. “Almost everyone asked where the coach was. Some even demanded that the coach stay,” Motsepe said after the team’s return from Morocco.
Despite the continental success, Cardoso faced criticism for failing to defend the Premiership title, which was lost to treble‑winning Orlando Pirates, and for not adding a domestic trophy to the cabinet. Sundowns finished the league season as runners‑up, a result that prompted the club to evaluate whether tactical adjustments are needed for the upcoming campaign.
Themba Zwane’s Commitment to the Club
Veteran midfielder Themba Zwane, aged 36 and widely regarded as one of South Africa’s best creative players of the last decade, reaffirmed his desire to finish his career at Mamelodi Sundowns. Zwane, who has been limited by injury over the past two seasons, is currently on a one‑year contract and expressed uncertainty about his immediate future while emphasizing his present enjoyment with the squad.
“To be honest, I don’t [clearly know what my future is] and I don’t want to lie. Now I’m enjoying this moment with the boys and we’ll see. Of course I want to stay and finish my career at Mamelodi Sundowns.”
— Themba Zwane
Zwane’s leadership and experience remain valuable assets, especially as Sundowns aim to build on their continental success and challenge for domestic honors.
Looking Ahead: Sundowns’ Ambitions
Chairman Motsepe framed the Champions League win as a stepping stone rather than an endpoint. “When we brought the coach to the club there was one goal we wanted to achieve. We wanted to make sure the team could reach a new level and achieve something special and we achieved that,” he stated. The next objective, according to Motsepe, is to push the team even higher—both on the continent and in the Premier Soccer League.
Key areas the club is likely to focus on include:
- Retaining Cardoso or identifying a suitable successor who can maintain tactical consistency.
- Integrating Zwane’s experience while managing his fitness and potential transition into a mentorship role.
- Strengthening squad depth to compete effectively in multiple competitions, aiming to reclaim the league title and add further domestic silverware.
- Continuing to engage with the fanbase, whose vocal support at the airport illustrated a strong connection between supporters and the team’s ambitions.
As the discussions unfold over the coming weeks, Mamelodi Sundowns appear poised to build on their historic CAF Champions League achievement, balancing the desire for continuity with the need for evolution in pursuit of sustained success.
