Sundowns sack Mngqithi, announce Cardoso as head coach

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Reigning Betway Premiership champions Mamelodi Sundowns have roped in Miguel De Azevedo Cardoso as head coach with immediate effect.

The Portuguese replaces Manqoba Mngqithi who has been sacked together with assistant coach Romain Folz and goalkeeper coach Wendell Robinson.

Bafana ba Style, however, retained the services of coaches Steve Komphela and Kennedy Mweene, as part of the club’s new technical team.

Speaking during a media conference on Tuesday at the club’s headquarters in Chloorkop, chairman Tlhopie Motsepe said the introduction of the new coaching technical team was necessitated by the recent unsatisfactory results.

This, he said despite the commitment of the Sundowns Board to give Manqoba Mngqithi and his technical team an opportunity to lead the club going into the future.

Mngqithi who took over the reigns following the departure of Rulani Mokwena prior the beginning of the 224/25 season campaign led the team to its summit position in the domestic league on level points with second placed Orlando Pirates FC but better on goal difference.

Sundowns dismal performance

Nonetheless, his performance and change of tactics may have led to his demise – under his tenure, the team failed to live up-to expectation after they were edged on both legged clash by Stellenbosch FC in the MTN8 Cup semi-finals.

Sundowns went on to suffer a shock 2-1 defeat in the Carling Black Label Cup Final to newly-promoted Magesi FC. Their continental campaign also got off to a shaky start playing a goalless draw at home against Congolese side AS Maniema Union and were held to a 1-1 draw by AS Far from Morocco.

The former Espérance Sportive de Tunis mentor reached the finals of the 2023/24 CAF Champions League with the Tunisia side and joins Sundowns with three of his assistants namely, Fabio Fernandes, Pedro Azevedo and João Araújo.

Miguel has coached in Portugal, Spain, France, Greece, and Ukraine at some of the biggest Clubs such as Porto, Braga, Deportivo La Coruna, Celta Vigo, AEK Athens, Nantes and Shakhtar Donetsk.

Excited about the new challenge that lies ahead, coach Cardoso said; “I’m entering the club with a huge identity, and I will do not only my best to keep them [supporters] happy but to represent them in the best way.

“To represent them, is to go along with the objectives and values of the club. I have [personal values] and we discussed it a lot; and this [values] speaks regarding the identity of the club.

“I had the privilege to speak about that with the chairman on values excellence, integrity and honesty which will be the base of our work.”

The chairman added; “Mamelodi Sundowns is thankful to Manqoba Mngqithi and Wendell Robinson for their loyal services to the club over the years and wishes them everything of the best in their new endeavors.

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“Manqoba Mngqithi and Wendell Robinson will forever remain part of the Mamelodi Sundowns Family. Mamelodi Sundowns is also thankful to Romain Folz who recently joined the club.”

Motsepe stated that the players will meet the recently appointed coaches when they return to training on Wednesday.

The Tshwane-based outfit next encounter is CAF Champions League against Raja Casablanca at Loftus Versveld on Sunday with kickoff scheduled at 15:00.