As Mamelodi Sundowns gear up for the expanded FIFA Club World Cup, coach Miguel Cardoso is preparing his team for a level of competition far beyond what they usually face in domestic and continental African football. Known for their dominant style of play and high possession stats, Sundowns may find themselves needing to adapt to unfamiliar territory—playing without the ball.
The South African champions, drawn in Group F alongside Fluminense, Borussia Dortmund, and Ulsan Hyundai, are considered underdogs in the United States-based tournament kicking off on June 14. While Sundowns have become accustomed to controlling tempo in the South African Premier Division, Cardoso admits that such dominance may not be possible against some of the world’s elite clubs.
“We are used to controlling matches in the South African league,” said the 53-year-old Portuguese coach. “Our possession can be 70 percent, sometimes even more. Now we must prepare mentally to adapt to situations where our opponents will have the majority of possession.”
In particular, Borussia Dortmund stands out as a significant challenge for the Pretoria-based side. The German club, known for its aggressive, high-tempo football, will likely push Sundowns into a more reactive and defensive role.
“Dortmund play a very high tempo, aggressive style, which is typical of German football,” said Cardoso. “They’ll present a different type of challenge compared to the opposition we’re used to at home and across Africa.”
The coach is no stranger to high-level football, having held roles in Portugal, France, Ukraine, Greece, and Spain, before arriving in Africa. After a brief but successful stint at Esperance of Tunisia, where he won the domestic league and reached the CAF Champions League final, he took over the Sundowns helm following the dismissal of Manqoba Mngqithi.
Sundowns: Champions at Home, Challengers Abroad
Despite a disappointing domestic cup campaign and an unexpected CAF Champions League final loss to Pyramids FC, Cardoso led Sundowns to yet another Premier Soccer League (PSL) title—their eighth consecutive championship. The setback in the Champions League final, however, left fans frustrated, particularly over the exclusion of veteran star Themba Zwane.
“He is our Lionel Messi and should have started or come off the bench,” said club legend Joel Masilela, criticizing Cardoso’s tactical choices in the final. “Cardoso cost us a Champions League title.”
Zwane, 35, is one of the experienced heads in a diverse 26-man squad that includes 20 South Africans, 2 Brazilians, and players from Uganda, Namibia, Zimbabwe, and Chile. The youngest player is 19-year-old winger Kutlwano Letlhaku, while the oldest is 40-year-old backup goalkeeper Denis Onyango, a legend in his own right and former African Goalkeeper of the Year.
Among those expected to shine at the Club World Cup is Ronwen Williams, the first-choice goalkeeper who earned national hero status after saving four penalties in South Africa’s AFCON 2024 quarter-final against Cape Verde.
Another standout is Lucas Ribeiro, the Brazilian forward who clinched the Golden Boot in the South African league last season with 16 goals. Midfielder Teboho Mokoena, known for his tenacity and long-range shooting ability, will likely play a central role as Sundowns attempt to punch above their weight.
Khuliso Mudau, a versatile and polished full-back, rounds out a solid defensive unit that will need to be at its best against technically superior opponents.
The Club World Cup represents more than just another tournament for Sundowns—it’s a test of South African and African football’s evolution. Alongside Al Ahly, Esperance, and Wydad Casablanca, Sundowns are among the African teams aiming to disrupt the global football hierarchy.
“The belief that African clubs lack organization, especially when defending, is untrue,” said Cardoso. However, he admits that mistakes in the Champions League final—such as poor marking and weak clearances—highlight areas his team must improve.
As Mamelodi Sundowns prepare to face global heavyweights at the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup, they are doing so with the pressure of national pride and the expectation of an entire continent. This tournament offers Sundowns an opportunity not only to test themselves against top-tier clubs but also to showcase the tactical evolution and competitive spirit of African football on a world stage.
The road ahead will be difficult, with Borussia Dortmund and Fluminense looming large. But under Miguel Cardoso’s leadership, and with a blend of experience, youthful exuberance, and tactical awareness, Sundowns may yet spring a surprise or two in the U.S.
Source- EWN
