Confirmed: Miguel Cardoso appointed Mamelodi Sundowns coach

The Portuguese mentor previously managed Esperance de Tunis and was in charge of the North African side when they eliminated Downs in the CAF Champions League semi-finals earlier this year. 

Rulani Mokwena was still the Sundowns mentor at the time, with Mngqithi – who was later elevated to the hot seat – his then assistant.

Mngqithi leaves the Chloorkop-based outfit on top of the Betway Premiership after eight matches – tied with Orlando Pirates, however, chairman Thlopie Motsepe argued the “standards” and “type of football” had dropped. 

Under Mngqithi, who arrived at the club as Pitso Mosimane's assistant in 2014, The Brazilians also failed to win the MTN8 as well as the Carling Knockout – in which they lost the final to top flight newcomers Magesi FC – in this campaign. 

Sundowns have also started poorly in the Champions League group stages, with two successive draws against AS Maniema Union of DR Congo and AS FAR from Morocco, as they occupy second spot in Group B at present.

Motsepe further confirmed that Steve Komphela and Kennedy Mweene will stay on as part of Cardoso’s technical team. 

“We feel that our standards recently had dropped and the type of football we wanted did not meet the mandate and expectations of the club," said the chairman.

"This is why we have decided to make changes to the technical team by bringing in an experienced coach like Miguel Cardoso – but we are keeping coach Steve Komphela and Kennedy Mweene."

READ: Manqoba Mngqithi happy with FIFA Club World Cup draw