Mamelodi Sundowns News Today: Cardoso makes big vow, CAF Super Cup venue favours Brazilians & more

Latest on Mamelodi Sundowns, including coach Miguel Cardoso declaring his squad ready for a five-trophy assault, CAF locking in their Super Cup showdown with USM Alger, and Lebo Ramalepe making her mark at WAFCON.

Cardoso: Sundowns ready to fight for everything

Mamelodi Sundowns head coach Miguel Cardoso has declared his squad mentally and physically prepared for one of the most demanding campaigns in the club’s history, with the Brazilians potentially chasing five trophies in the 2026/27 season.

Sundowns arrived back from their pre-season camp in Austria having been granted permission to sit out the first week of Betway Premiership action, meaning their season opener is a home MTN8 quarter-final against Polokwane City.

Cardoso acknowledged it had been an emotionally difficult period following the passing of midfielder Jayden Adams, but credited the overseas trip with helping the group process their grief together. “We ended the camp in the right place, mourning, honouring him, sharing our love and drawing strength from that,” the Portuguese coach said as quoted by Flashscore.

From a sporting perspective, Cardoso highlighted the value of facing European and continental opposition — including Hertha Berlin, Al Hilal and MC Alger — as preparation for the level of challenges the club will face throughout the season and as they build towards the FIFA Club World Cup in 2029.

On the opening cup tie, Cardoso was measured but resolute. “Polokwane are a tough opponent. They have a new coach and will surely have new dynamics. Most of all we must worry about ourselves and how strongly we can start,” he said, adding that the club’s objective is simple: play every match to win.

Advantage Sundowns as CAF Super Cup date is set

The Confederation of African Football has officially confirmed that the 2026 CAF Super Cup will be played on 8 November 2026, with Mamelodi Sundowns set to host Algerian giants USM Alger in Pretoria.

The annual curtain-raiser pits the CAF Champions League winners against the CAF Confederation Cup holders, meaning Sundowns — who claimed the 2025/26 Champions League crown — will face USM Alger, the Confederation Cup champions, in what shapes up to be one of the continent’s biggest club fixtures of the year.

CAF’s announcement puts to rest earlier speculation that the fixture could be moved due to stadium availability concerns in South Africa, with the governing body now settling on Pretoria as the host city.

Ramalepe thriving in wider role for Banyana at WAFCON

While the men’s team prepares for the new season, Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies star Lebo Ramalepe has been turning heads at the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco, once again demonstrating her value to Banyana Banyana when deployed in an advanced position.

Having spent the better part of a decade as a right-back, the 34-year-old flourished in a surprise shift to the wing under coach Desiree Ellis at last year’s WAFCON, helping Banyana reach the semi-finals.

Ramalepe was initially reverted to her defensive role for the tournament opener — a 2-1 defeat to Tanzania — and was benched for the second group stage fixture against Ivory Coast, but her introduction as a substitute proved decisive. Minutes after she came on, Thembi Kgatlana pulled one back, before Hildah Magaia struck in stoppage time to secure a 2-2 draw.