Cardoso breaks his silence on Masha suspension and Rulani links

Mamelodi Sundowns head coach Miguel Cardoso has dismissed claims of mistreating suspended club analyst Mario Masha, as the fallout from the “tactical leak” scandal continues to dominate the buildup to Saturday’s CAF Champions League showdown.

Masha was sidelined last week amid sensational allegations that confidential tactical data was being shared with former Sundowns mentor Rulani Mokwena, who now leads MC Alger.

While the club has maintained a public silence on the matter, Cardoso broke his to address the narrative surrounding Masha’s treatment.

“It’s not up to me,” Cardoso stated when questioned about the lack of transparency from the Masandawana hierarchy, though he was firm in denying any personal bad blood.

The timing could not be more volatile. Mokwena—who denied receiving any inside intel during his own press briefing—returns to Loftus on Saturday for a high-stakes encounter where only one side can realistically claim a spot in the quarter-finals.

🚨𝙂 𝘼 𝙈 𝙀 𝘿 𝘼 𝙔🚨

🆚 Mamelodi Sundowns vs MC Alger
⏰ 15H00
🏟 Loftus Versfeld Stadium
📺 SS 209 & SABC #Sundowns #TotalEnergiesCAFCL #AreyengMasandawana pic.twitter.com/GuRW821bz2

— Mamelodi Sundowns FC (@Masandawana) February 14, 2026

The Algerian Omen: History Favours Cardoso’s Sundowns in Do-or-Die MC Alger Clash

Meanwhile, Sundowns may be facing a crisis of form, but history is firmly on their side as they prepare for Saturday’s high-stakes CAF Champions League finale against Alger at Loftus Versfeld today (15:00 CAT).

The mandate is unforgiving: win or exit. However, as the Brazilians enter their 11th consecutive Champions League group phase, they draw strength from a staggering record against Algerian opposition—boasting six wins from eight encounters, with only one draw and a solitary defeat.

Sundowns’ love affair with Algerian fixtures began in 2016, the same year they conquered the continent. Their first encounter was a literal trial by fire against Entente Setif. Leading 2-0 away from home, the match was abandoned due to crowd riots, but the result stood, setting the tone for Pitso Mosimane’s eventual champions.

Since then, the Tshwane giants have consistently held the upper hand:

2019-20: A clean sweep against USM Alger, winning 1-0 away and 2-1 at home to top their group.

2020-21: A clinical 5-1 demolition of Chabab Belouizdad in Tanzania (a neutral venue due to COVID-19). While they lost the dead-rubber return leg 2-0, qualification was already secured.

2022-23: A masterclass in the quarterfinals, crushing Belouizdad 6-2 on aggregate (4-1 away and 2-1 at home).

The Rulani Factor

This season’s narrative, however, has a twist. The first leg in November ended in a tactical 0-0 stalemate in Algiers—a game overseen by former Sundowns mentor Rulani Mokwena, who now leads the Algerian charge.

Mokwena knows the Sundowns DNA better than anyone, but he faces a club that has only failed to progress from the group stage once in the last 10 years. For Miguel Cardoso’s men, Saturday is about protecting that elite pedigree.

Survival at Loftus

Despite the illustrious history, the present is tense. Sundowns have struggled for consistency this campaign, and failing to win on Saturday would result in their earliest exit since 2018.

But with the Algerian “hoodoo” seemingly non-existent for the Brazilians, Loftus Versfeld remains the stage where history suggests Sundowns find a way to survive.

Sundowns vs. Algerian Clubs: Head-to-Head

Matchup Result Context
vs Entente Setif (2016) Won 2-0 Group Stage (Championship Year)
vs USM Alger (2019/20) Won 1-0 & 2-1 Group Stage
vs CR Belouizdad (2020/21) Won 5-1 & Lost 2-0 Group Stage
vs CR Belouizdad (2022/23) Won 4-1 & 2-1 Quarterfinal (6-2 Agg)
vs MC Alger (2025/26) Drew 0-0 Matchday 1