Cardoso Confirms Enhanced Role for Sundowns Academy Graduates in New Season

Mamelodi Sundowns coach Miguel Cardoso has affirmed a substantial role for the club's academy graduates in the upcoming 2026/27 season. The Portuguese tactician highlighted their immediate importance, not just for the future, as the team prepares for a demanding campaign across multiple competitions.

"We did not do anyone a favour by bringing them here. We brought players whom we believe are important. They are not only important for the future; they are important now. We have a squad that will be placed under pressure throughout the season because of the number of matches we have to play. Those players must be ready to provide answers and meet the level of demand we will have."— Miguel Cardoso

Cardoso's remarks underscore the club's strategy as Mamelodi Sundowns aim to compete for up to five trophies in the 2026/27 campaign. The team recently concluded a pre-season camp in Austria, where Cardoso focused on integrating new players and 'blooding youngsters,' preparing the squad both physically and mentally for the challenges ahead.

The emphasis on youth comes with lessons learned from the previous season. In 2025/26, Mamelodi Sundowns finished second in the South African PremiershipCompetition·South African Premiership, just one point behind champions Orlando PiratesTeam·Orlando Pirates. Despite missing out on domestic league silverware, the club achieved continental success by securing the CAF Champions League title for the second time in May 2026. Cardoso acknowledged that an early reliance on young players in the 2025/26 season, necessitated by a shortage of experienced options, contributed to a slow start in the league. He cited left-back Thato SibiyaPlayer·Thato Sibiya as an example of a player he might have introduced too quickly into a challenging CAF Champions League fixture.

However, Cardoso remains confident in the long-term potential of players like Sibiya and pointed to Kutlwano Letlhaku's development as evidence of the value in investing in youth. This commitment to nurturing talent is further solidified by the launch of Mamelodi Sundowns Soccer Schools in February 2026, a partnership with Global Soccer Schools International designed to strengthen their youth development pipeline and provide a clear pathway to professional football through the Mamelodi Sundowns Youth Academy.

For the 2026/27 season, Mamelodi Sundowns are set to commence their competitive fixtures with a home MTN8Competition·MTN8 quarter-final against Polokwane City. The pre-season schedule included matches against formidable opponents such as Hertha Berlin and Al Hilal, which Cardoso believes were crucial for accumulating international experience and developing youngsters for future challenges, including the FIFA Club World CupCompetition·FIFA Club World Cup in 2029. New signings Antonio Van Wyk and Siyanda NdlovuPlayer·Siyanda Ndlovu are also expected to contribute to the squad's depth.