Mamelodi Sundowns are facing increasing scrutiny following their 3-1 defeat to USM Alger in the CAF Super Cup final, another disappointing result in what has become a frustrating period for the Tshwane giants in continental football.

The Brazilians began the 2026/27 season with high expectations after winning the CAF Champions League last campaign. However, their hopes of defending that title ended earlier than anticipated, and Sunday's defeat at Loftus Versfeld denied them another opportunity to secure continental silverware.

The recent results have left supporters questioning what is happening at Chloorkop and whether the team is experiencing deeper problems.

Champions League Elimination Raises Concerns

One of Sundowns' biggest disappointments came in October when they were knocked out of the CAF Champions League by Angolan side Wiliete SC.

Following a goalless draw in the first leg, Sundowns were expected to secure qualification during the return fixture at Loftus Versfeld. Tashreeq Matthews put the South African champions ahead, but Wiliete managed to equalise and progressed to the group stages through the away-goals rule.

The elimination was particularly disappointing for Sundowns, who had reached the Champions League group stages in 11 consecutive editions.

It also raised questions about their ability to turn possession and attacking dominance into goals when facing determined opposition.

Injuries Affecting Cardoso's Plans

Injuries have also presented challenges for head coach Miguel Cardoso, with several important players missing matches at different stages of the campaign.

Khuliso Mudau, Grant Kekana, Keanu Cupido, Aubrey Modiba and Teboho Mokoena have all experienced periods of unavailability.

Their injury concerns continued during the Super Cup final against USM Alger. Nuno Santos picked up an injury during the warm-up, while Brayan León was forced off in the first half.

These setbacks have made it difficult for Cardoso to maintain consistent combinations and settle on his preferred starting line-up.

Nevertheless, Sundowns have considerable squad depth, meaning injuries alone cannot fully explain their recent struggles in continental competitions.

Missed Chances and Defensive Problems

The defeat to USM Alger also exposed concerns about Sundowns' ability to take their opportunities and defend effectively against clinical opponents.

The Algerian side scored through Zakaria Draoui, Saadi Radouani and Ahmed Khaldi, while Iqraam Rayners converted a penalty for Sundowns.

Although the Brazilians created opportunities, they struggled to match their opponents' effectiveness in front of goal.

Similar concerns emerged during their Champions League elimination against Wiliete, where Sundowns failed to turn their dominance into the result they needed.

Growing Pressure on Miguel Cardoso?

Cardoso now faces the challenge of finding solutions and restoring confidence within his squad.

The Portuguese coach deserves recognition for guiding Sundowns to the CAF Champions League title last season. However, the recent continental setbacks have inevitably increased scrutiny of his tactical decisions and the direction of the team.

Despite the disappointments, Sundowns still have domestic competitions to focus on, giving them an opportunity to respond and rebuild momentum.

Ultimately, the concerns at Chloorkop appear to extend beyond individual results. Converting scoring opportunities, improving defensive organisation, managing injuries and maintaining consistency will all be important if Sundowns are to return to their usual standards.

For a club accustomed to competing for major trophies, the immediate challenge is to demonstrate that these setbacks are temporary and that the team can recover from its difficult start to the continental campaign.

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