Mamelodi Sundowns News Today: Cardoso backed by ex-Pirates coach, Masandawana escape sanctions, & more…

Latest on Mamelodi Sundowns, in the last 24 hours, including Miguel Cardoso backed about bad pitches, Masandawana escape FIFA financial sanctions, and more.

Cardoso backed by ex-Pirates coach

South African coach Fadlu Davids has backed Miguel Cardoso’s concerns over the poor condition of some of the pitches used in the PSL.

Cardoso recently criticised the playing surface at Buffalo City Stadium in KuGompo City after his side, Mamelodi Sundowns, were held to a 1-1 draw by Chippa United.

The Portuguese coach has previously raised concerns about the condition of several other pitches in South Africa, including the Old Peter Mokaba Stadium and Kanyamazane Stadium.

"I always hear coach Cardoso complaining about pitches and he’s absolutely right. In Morocco, we played on carpet in any part of Morocco."

South African coach Fadlu Davids has backed Miguel Cardoso’s concerns over the poor condition of some of the pitches used in the PSL.… pic.twitter.com/3TmTVytgrz

— iDiski Times (@iDiskiTimes) September 28, 2026

Davids believes Sundowns operate at such a high technical level that some teams may benefit from taking them to pitches where it becomes difficult for them to play their usual brand of football.

He also suggested that the PSL could improve the overall image of the league by adopting a stadium-management approach similar to that used in Morocco.

“I have to be honest, it’s [Sundowns success in Africa] a reflection of how good Sundowns are, the quality of the league, I’m not sure whether it’s the same level of quality that Sundowns has,” Davids said on Radio 2000.

“Sundowns are forced, whether it’s legitimate or not legitimate, to take them to places where pitch conditions will be difficult. And that’s not good for our football.

“I always hear coach Cardoso complaining about pitches and he’s absolutely right. In Morocco, we played on carpet in any part of Morocco. 

“That’s because the league manages all pitches. And all the pitches have the certain standard and when it comes to winter or summer grass, the league will stop for certain period so that they can change the pitch conditions. I think that will definitely improve the image of our league.”

Sundowns escape FIFA’s disciplinary measures

Mamelodi Sundowns have been fortunate to avoid FIFA’s disciplinary measures after their debut appearance in the FIFA Intercontinental Cup came with a trophy addition.

Sundowns overcame Al Ahli Saudi FC in the African-Asian-Pacific Cup 10 days ago and with victory proceeded to the Challenger Cup.

That Challenger Cup will double up as the semifinal of the Intercontinental Cup which has Paris Saint-Germain waiting in the decider.

Luckily for Sundowns, there will not be any trigger of a financial sanction from FIFA.

Mamelodi Sundowns have been fortunate to avoid FIFA’s disciplinary measures after their debut appearance in the FIFA Intercontinental Cup came with a trophy addition.

Read more: https://t.co/5YMllRicFl pic.twitter.com/ZtsQ7UMZb6

— KickOff Online (@KickOffMagazine) September 29, 2026

The world governing body’s disciplinary measures which can be imposed by its judicial bodies under misconduct of players and officials stipulates fines for yellow cards in tournament under its jurisdiction.

There is a USD10 000 (approx. R164 000) fine for a yellow card, USD15 000 (approx. R246 000) for an indirect red card, and USD20 000 (approx. R329 000) for a direct red card while team misconduct also carries a USD15 000 fine (approx. R246 000).  

Three Sundowns players – Teboho Mokoena, Nuno Santos, and Brayan Leon were cautioned against Al Ahli.

The FIFA Legal Handbook September 2026 edition states that ‘such fine would be imposed in addition to the individual fines in case individual disciplinary sanctions are imposed by the referee on five or more players of the team during the relevant match’.

With the Brazilians having three players yellow carded it means they will escape any fines from FIFA who oversee the Intercontinental Cup.

Mokoena and Leon already benefitted from Article 8 on yellow and red cards of the Regulations for the FIFA Intercontinental Cup 2026 which clarifies that ‘single yellow cards and pending suspensions that could not be served during the confederation’s competition are not carried over to the Intercontinental Cup 2026’.