Latest on Mamelodi Sundowns, including Miguel Cardoso’s stirring address to his squad ahead of pre-season, Teboho Mokoena’s shot at a rare PSL honour and the Brazilians to face Saudi giants.

Cardoso sets the tone for new arrivals

Mamelodi Sundowns head coach Miguel Cardoso has wasted no time in setting expectations for the 2026/27 campaign, addressing new signings Antonio Van Wyk and Siyanda Ndlovu in his first meeting with the assembled pre-season squad.

Van Wyk and Ndlovu joined from SV Ried and Golden Arrows respectively, and Cardoso was direct in his message to the new faces as well as returning players.

“For the ones that’s just arrived, welcome. For the ones that have been here, welcome them in the best way, in terms of making them understand that this energy that we have here, when we go inside those four lines, becomes movement, dynamic, attitude. It becomes fight, building,” he urged in a speech shared by the club.

Cardoso has overseen 84 games since arriving in December 2024, recording 53 wins, 19 draws and 12 defeats, with the league title and CAF Champions League crown among his achievements.

Mokoena in the hunt for rare honour

Teboho Mokoena of Mamelodi Sundowns. — Teboho Mokoena. Photo: Mamelodi Sundowns

Teboho Mokoena is on course to join the exclusive list of players who have won the PSL Footballer of the Season award at least twice, after being nominated for the accolade alongside Orlando Pirates pair Relebohile Mofokeng and Oswin Appollis.

Mokoena remained Sundowns’ heartbeat throughout the 2025/26 campaign, scoring seven goals in 41 appearances as the Brazilians finished runners-up in the Betway Premiership while lifting the CAF Champions League.

The award is voted for by PSL coaches, which could work in Mokoena’s favour despite his Pirates rivals having enjoyed a treble-winning season with impressive individual contributions.

Mokoena first won the Footballer of the Season in the 2022/23 campaign. Teko Modise was the first player to win the award in consecutive seasons, taking it in both 2007/08 and 2008/09.

Mamelodi Sundowns confirm Al-Hilal clash

Mamelodi Sundowns will return to Austria for a pre-season camp ahead of the 2026/27 season, with friendly matches against RB Salzburg and Saudi giants Al-Hilal now confirmed.

The Brazilians are the reigning African champions after lifting the CAF Champions League last term, ending a decade-long drought in the competition, and now prepare for the new campaign against top opposition.

Sundowns face RB Salzburg on 18 July — a fixture the Austrian club have confirmed — before taking on Al-Hilal, home to former France international Karim Benzema, on 24 July.