Sundowns sack Mngqithi, announce Cardoso

Mamelodi Sundowns have announced Portuguese Miguel Cardoso as their new coach.

Sundowns chairman, Tlhopie Motsepe, announced the appointment of the former Esperance de Tunis coach at the club’s headquarters in Chloorkop yesterday.

Cardoso replaces Manqoba Mngqithi who’s left the club after 10 years.

Assistant coach, Romain Folz, and goalkeeper coach, Wendell Robinson, have also been shown the door by Sundowns.

Senior coach, Steve Komphela, and chief goalkeeper-coach, Kennedy Mweene, remain in the new technical staff.

“In recent months our team has struggled to meet that ambition and the high standards we set for ourselves,” Motsepe said.

“Today we brought you here to inform you Sundowns have decided to implement a restructuring in the club’s technical department. We needed to go in another direction.”

Motsepe said of 52-year-old Cardoso: “He is a man we believe has the right personality, ability and desire to lead a club like Sundowns.”

Cardoso is the coach who orchestrated Tunisian outfit Esperance’s 2-0 aggregate CAF Champions League victory over Sundowns last season. Written by Ntsako Mukhari