After guiding Mamelodi Sundowns to their second CAF Champions League title, Miguel Cardoso has emerged as a target for Egyptian giants Al Ahly. Cardoso beat Morocco’s AS FAR Rabat 2-1 on aggregate to deliver Sundowns’ long-awaited continental crown last Sunday and is set for talks over an improved contract as his current deal nears its end in June.
However, his success has inevitably placed him on the radar of one of Africa’s biggest powerhouses, with Al Ahly monitoring developments closely as they plot a return to the summit of African football.
The Egyptian giants, who endured a disappointing campaign and will miss next season’s CAF Champions League, are expected to sack their head coach, Jess Thorup. The 13-time African champions miss out on the premier interclub competition for the first time since 2003. They are eager to bounce back immediately and view Cardoso as a strong candidate to restore their dominance.
There is a growing sense that Al Ahly may be unwilling to meet the financial demands of their top target, Dutch legend Mark van Bommel, a factor that could place Cardoso ahead of him in their coaching considerations.
The Portuguese tactician is understood to be open to the Al Ahly project should it become concrete, even without Champions League football next season. For now, though, Sundowns are confident they can retain him and are preparing to open talks over improved terms and a possible extension.
What makes Cardoso’s rise even more compelling is his impressive continental record. The former Esperance mentor has now reached the CAF Champions League final in three successive seasons, finally lifting the trophy with Sundowns at the third attempt, a record that has elevated his stock across Africa.
WHAT MOTSEPE SAID ABOUT CARDOSO’S FUTURE
Speaking at OR Tambo International Airport after Sundowns’ return from Morocco, club chairman Tlhopie Motsepe confirmed that discussions over the coach’s future are imminent.
“When we brought the coach to the club, there was an objective, a goal that we wanted to achieve. One, to make sure that the team could reach another level and achieve something very special, and we have done that. We have achieved something very special,” Motsepe told the media.
“Now, the question going forward is, can we do it more? Can we do even better? Can we continue to write this very special story that we’ve written so far this season?”
Motsepe added that talks are already in a more favourable position than when Cardoso first arrived.
“I believe that where the club is heading right now is in a positive direction, and we will obviously go into the next few months now and have discussions, but definitely the discussions are already in a much more positive position than when we had discussions before the coach even joined the club. I think that’s as far as I should say out of respect for the coach and the discussions we are going to have as a board.”
Earlier in the season, Motsepe publicly backed Cardoso during a difficult spell, a stance that now appears vindicated by continental success.
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