Mamelodi Sundowns’ start to their new season will push Miguel Cardoso to a stone’s throw of taking the difficult endurance test in the head coach job at the club to triple numbers.
After delayed start necessitated by Jayden Adams’ death, Sundowns will get going on Saturday evening in the MTN8.
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That first game of the season will count as number one of a dozen that Cardoso needs to get to 100 games in charge at the club.
The 54-year-old has been on the bench for 88 games since taking over with his first match in charge against Raja Casablanca on December 15, 2024.
As has become the norm with the Sundowns job, his ride hasn’t always been smooth even though he has won the majority of matches he has overseen.
His critics have always had their swords sharpened waiting for the moment to strike whenever the opportunity presents itself.
However, with Cardoso having delivered the trophy – the CAF Champions League – which matters most at Sundowns, he is now guaranteed of taking his stay to 100 games.
Pitso Mosimane remains the only coach to ever reach at least 100 games in sole charge at Chloorkop before ultimately leaving after going past 300 matches.
He did so having faced the impolite nature of those in the stands when results were not forthcoming at the start of his tenure.
Cardoso’s 88 games at Sundowns have meant this then becomes his longest stay in a head coach job in his coaching career.
The Portuguese will reach two years reporting to Chloorkop in December.
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He didn’t complete a full year in each of his five previous jobs at Esperance, second stint at Rio Ave, AEK Athens, Celta Vigo, and Nantes.
Seven of the 12 games that Cardoso needs to get to 100 could be played this month if Sundowns reach the semis of the MTN8.