Mamelodi Sundowns are once again at the center of South African football’s attention, as coach Miguel Cardoso navigates a season brimming with both opportunity and challenge. With a major squad overhaul in the off-season, fresh faces in the dressing room, and a mounting injury list, the club’s quest for domestic and continental glory has taken on a new layer of complexity. And with the team sitting on 21 points after ten matches in the Premier Soccer League, fans and pundits alike are watching every move with bated breath.
Cardoso, who masterfully guided Sundowns to their second-ever CAF Champions League final last season, now finds himself under a different kind of spotlight. The pressure intensified after a stinging loss to Orlando Pirates in the MTN8 tournament—a result that did little to calm the nerves of a passionate fan base hungry for silverware. The defeat also came against the backdrop of the club’s ongoing struggles to keep its best talent on the pitch, both due to injuries and transfer drama.
One of the biggest off-field stories has been the saga surrounding last season’s PSL Player of the Season, Lucas Ribeiro Costa. The Brazilian star, who shone brightly during the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup—even as Sundowns failed to reach the last 16—boycotted a return to the club in a bid to force a move before the transfer window slammed shut. His performances against heavyweights like Borussia Dortmund, Fluminense, and HD Ulsan caught the eye of scouts worldwide, and his absence has left a gaping hole in Sundowns’ attacking options.
“The team has lost important reference, and we live within a society that in general is spontaneous and football is not like that. To replace players that have had an impact on a team needs time, and time means training—but we don’t train,” Cardoso lamented, highlighting the unique pressures that come with managing a top club. “When we have breaks, about 12 or 13 of our players will go out (FIFA international breaks), and they come back with different football heads, and we have to gather them again. It’s going to happen again next week.”
Despite these challenges, Sundowns remain relentless in their pursuit of excellence. The off-season saw more departures than arrivals, but the club made several significant signings designed to inject new energy and versatility into the squad. Among the most notable are former Stellenbosch FC defender Fawaaz Basadien, Portuguese attacker Nuno Santos, and compatriot Miguel Reisinho. Cardoso, himself Portuguese, played a pivotal role in attracting these players, leveraging both the club’s growing international reputation and his own connections to bring them on board.
“It happened due to a couple of situations that happened at the same time,” Cardoso explained regarding the acquisition of Nuno Santos. “His club needed to release some players to manage their own organisation. Nuno wanted a challenge abroad that could give him a different challenge. The name Sundowns appealed to him after the World Cup we had, and also due to the fact that I am a Portuguese coach and it was important to approach the players. Let’s just hope they can impact the team like we want them to do.”
The arrival of Santos, in particular, has already shown promise, with the attacker quickly establishing himself as one of the standout additions this season. But with so many new faces and a disrupted pre-season, Cardoso has stressed the need for patience as the squad finds its rhythm. “What is good is that quality players help the others to feel confident,” he said. “And that is a little bit of what has happened to Sundowns. With the loss of Lucas, the injury to Themba Zwane, and the loss of (Khuliso) Mudau and now Thapelo (Morena), Grant (Kekana) is also not with the team.”
Injuries have indeed become a major talking point. Star midfielder Themba Zwane, affectionately known as “Mshishi,” has been sidelined with a grade two thigh muscle injury sustained during the MTN8 semi-final against Orlando Pirates on August 17, 2025. Cardoso provided a medical update during a recent press conference in Pretoria, clarifying that Zwane’s recovery could extend to around two months, with hopes for a return after the international break in early to mid-October. “We’re going to be cautious, we must be careful, not think about the national team, but focus on ourselves and on him as well,” Cardoso stated, emphasizing the club’s commitment to player welfare over rushing him back for either club or country.
Zwane’s absence is a significant blow, not only to Sundowns’ title defense and CAF Champions League campaign but also to Bafana Bafana’s World Cup qualifiers against Uganda and South Sudan. As national team captain, his leadership and creativity will be sorely missed. “Unfortunately Themba will be out for I believe maybe around two months probably unfortunately,” Cardoso admitted, underscoring the importance of a full recovery to avoid aggravating the injury.
The injury list doesn’t end there. Thapelo Morena, Grant Kekana, and Zuko Mdunyelwa are also on the mend, with Morena expected back soon and the others likely to return after the October break. These absences have forced Cardoso to shuffle his lineup and rely on the depth provided by new signings, all while managing the fatigue and mental strain of a congested fixture list.
Amidst these challenges, Sundowns’ appetite for foreign talent remains undiminished. On October 1, 2025, the club revealed plans to sign another international player, keeping one spot open for a foreign acquisition following the arrivals of Reisinho and Santos. This strategy has long been a hallmark of the club’s approach, with quality imports playing a pivotal role in their domestic and continental success. The technical team’s continued search for overseas talent reflects both ambition and the need to bolster a squad stretched thin by injuries and international call-ups.
Yet, for all the turbulence, there remains a sense of optimism around Chloorkop. The team’s strong start to the league campaign, despite adversity, is a testament to the resilience and adaptability fostered under Cardoso’s leadership. The coach’s willingness to trust in new arrivals, prioritize player health, and maintain a long-term vision—even in the face of short-term setbacks—has won him rare patience from club management and cautious hope from supporters.
As the international break looms and the Betway Premiership and CAF Champions League campaigns resume, all eyes will be on how quickly Sundowns can reintegrate their injured stars and bed in their new signings. With the promise of more talent on the horizon and a squad determined to fight on multiple fronts, the next chapter of Sundowns’ season is set to be as compelling as ever.
For now, the action is ongoing, and the story of Mamelodi Sundowns’ 2025 campaign continues to unfold with every match, every recovery, and every new signing.
