Shockwaves at Mamelodi Sundowns: Has Miguel Cardoso Destroyed the Club’s Soul? “Losing Lucas Ribeiro is Just the Beginning!”

Mamelodi Sundowns, once the pride of South African football, are now facing a crisis that no fan saw coming.

The club’s recent disappointing exit from the MTN8 tournament has ignited a firestorm of criticism, with former Bafana Bafana and Orlando Pirates star Tiko Modis publicly expressing grave concerns about the direction under head coach Miguel Cardoso.

The Brazilian tactician, who arrived amid high hopes, now finds himself under intense scrutiny after what many consider questionable transfer decisions and a troubling loss of the club’s attacking flair.

Modis, a revered figure at Sundowns with a trophy-laden history, did not mince words.

“No team in their right mind would want to lose a player like Lucas Ribeiro,” he said, referring to the talented forward whose departure has left a gaping hole in the squad.

According to Modis, losing Ribeiro is not just a transfer issue — it symbolizes a deeper malaise threatening the club’s very identity.

He warned that if Sundowns fail to recalibrate their strategy and rediscover their trademark attacking style, the upcoming season could be a long and painful one.

The former star pointed out that the Sundowns’ once electrifying style of play, which made them a dominant force on the continent, was slowly fading away.

“The style that made Sundowns exciting and dominant is disappearing,” Modis lamented, specifically criticizing Cardoso’s possession-heavy approach as lacking the creativity and flair that defined previous eras under coaches like Pitso Mosimane and Ruud Krol.

This shift has not gone unnoticed by fans, many of whom have taken to social media to question Cardoso’s tactics amid inconsistent performances.

The timing could not be worse for Sundowns.

The club faces a grueling schedule across domestic and continental competitions, and Modis highlighted the lack of proper pre-season preparation as a significant handicap.

“Without the right foundation, both physically and mentally, their ambitions will suffer,” he warned.

This sentiment resonates with supporters who fear that the club’s golden years might be slipping away under Cardoso’s stewardship.

While criticism mounts, Cardoso has attempted to defend his approach.

Following a narrow 1-0 victory over Stellenbosch FC, which lifted Sundowns to the top of the Betway Premiership standings, the coach struck a defiant tone.

“This team needs peace, needs support, and true Mamelodi Sundowns fans should stand behind us,” he urged.

Despite calls for his dismissal after a goalless draw with Kaizer Chiefs, Cardoso insisted that the team’s current position after five matches — unbeaten and leading the table — shows progress.

However, many remain unconvinced.

The victory, while important, did little to silence doubts about the team’s lack of attacking spark and the apparent disconnect on the pitch.

Cardoso’s admission that the team struggled to find “the right connection” in the absence of key players like Arthur highlighted ongoing issues in cohesion and creativity.

Across the continent, a similar tale of turmoil is unfolding.

Egyptian powerhouse Al Ahly, known as the Red Devils, announced the mutual termination of head coach Jose Riviero’s contract after a dismal start to the new season.

Riviero, a former Orlando Pirates mentor, managed only one win in seven matches, with a crushing 2-0 home defeat to Pyramid FC — the reigning African champions — serving as the final straw.

Al Ahly’s official statement praised Riviero’s efforts but underscored the need for results to match ambition.

The club currently languishes in 12th place in the league after five matches, with just one point.

A high-level planning committee, including club president Mahmoud Al Khatib and sports director Mohamed Youssef, convened to assess the situation before agreeing on the coach’s departure.

The decision to part ways with Riviero reflects the harsh realities of football management, where patience is often in short supply.

It also sends a clear message to Sundowns fans: even the most storied clubs face ruthless demands for success, and coaching changes are sometimes inevitable when results falter.

Back in South Africa, the debate rages on.

Is Miguel Cardoso truly losing the Mamelodi Sundowns identity, or is he a victim of unfair expectations and impatience?

Can the club recover its attacking prowess and reclaim continental dominance?

And what lessons can be learned from Al Ahly’s swift action in Egypt?

Fans and pundits alike are divided.

Some argue that Cardoso’s possession-based style is a modern evolution necessary for long-term success, while others see it as a sterile approach that stifles creativity.

The departure of Lucas Ribeiro, a dynamic forward, has only intensified fears that Sundowns are drifting away from their roots.

What remains clear is that this season will be a defining moment for both Miguel Cardoso and Mamelodi Sundowns.

The pressure to deliver trophies and entertain fans has never been higher.

Supporters will be watching closely, hoping that the club can weather this storm without losing its soul.

As the drama unfolds, the question lingers: will Sundowns rise from this crisis stronger, or are they on the brink of a painful decline?

Only time will tell, but one thing is certain — football at Sundowns is anything but boring right now.