The Mamelodi Sundowns team has already won two trophies this season, but coach Miguel Cardoso emphasized that the Brazilians are far from satisfied and continue to fight for awards on several fronts.
The giants from Tshwane added the MTN8 tournament to their trophy cabinet after defeating Orlando Pirates 2-0 at Moses Mabhida Stadium. Tebogo Mokoeona and Ikraam Reyners scored the goals, ending the wait for the title in this tournament since 2021.
This victory came less than a month after Sundowns' triumph over Saudi club Al Ahli with a score of 2-1 in the Africa-Asia-Pacific Confederation Cup, opening up the possibility for the current African champions to have an exceptional campaign.
With seven more competitions potentially on the trophy list, the question arises as to how many more the Brazilians can achieve before the end of the 2026/27 season. These include the CAF Super Cup, FIFA Challenger Cup, FIFA Intercontinental Cup, Carling Knockout, Nedbank Cup, Betway Premiership, and CAF Champions League, although the routes and difficulties of these tournaments differ.
Sundowns has already established itself as one of the continent's leading clubs by winning the CAF Champions League last season. Now they face the task of defending this title while managing domestic obligations and international competition demands.
Their next immediate task is the Betway Premiership match on Tuesday against Richards Bay at Princess Magogo Stadium, after which they will travel to Angola to begin their title defense in the Champions League against Wiliete Sport Clube in the final qualifying round.
Cardoso has repeatedly stressed the importance of ambition, but the Portuguese manager also realizes that the strain of a tight match schedule can test the depth of the squad and the team's ability to maintain stability.
After the MTN8 final, he urged the players to enjoy their success without letting it distract them from the remaining work. 'It's not like we need to celebrate collecting two medals in October,' Cardoso stated. 'Well, we should be happy, of course, but we must be humble enough to understand that we have a match in two days, and the CAF Champions League qualifying round is next week.'
The coach added that the Carling Knockout and other challenges will require the team to maintain concentration and belief in the values they have developed. The prospect of additional trophies looks realistic for Sundowns, but winning all competitions will require more than the quality that brought them early success. Squad management, physical condition, and stability will be decisive as the schedule intensifies.
FIFA competitions offer a particularly attractive opportunity to compare themselves with leading clubs from other continents, while the CAF Super Cup will provide another chance to strengthen their continental reputation. Domestically, reclaiming the league title from Pirates and participating in the Nedbank Cup and Carling Knockout will further underscore their strength in South African football. Two trophies by October gave Sundowns a great foundation. Whether they can turn this start into one of the most decorated seasons in the club's history will depend on how effectively they handle the upcoming challenges.