A former Mamelodi Sundowns captain has questioned the club's decision to fire head coach Manqoba Mngqithi, with the club having announced his replacement on Tuesday.
The man who was responsible for Sundowns' exit from the CAF Champions League last season, at the quarterfinals stage, Miguel Cardoso, has already begun work on the training ground as he faces a baptism of fire against Raja Casablanca for his first match on Sunday.
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Ex-player Benson Mhlongo believes the club is planning to move away from being merely a Betway Premiership out and is now intent on moving up to be an international side like their peers who will be participating in the FIFA Club World Cup in 2025.
"I think they've always wanted Miguel to replace Rulani Mokwena. Remember, coach Rulani was beaten by Miguel in last season's Champions League," says the ever-frank Mhlongo.
"He beat Rulani in the semi-final coaching Esperance - that's where everything started. So, it does not make sense when Sundowns say the sacking of Manqoba has nothing to do with the loss of form in the cup.
"They always wanted someone from the outside, someone who has coached big clubs. They want to introduce European football at Sundowns.
"I don't think it's about performance, they've been hunting for Miguel all along," says the man who was adept both at centre-back and in defensive midfield.
Mhlongo says the whole idea behind the coaching change is for The Brazilians to move up a gear and be 'an international club'.
"They have a Sporting Director who is from outside Africa [Flemming Berg]. They just want to be an international team.
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"Because, I mean, it's been only a few months, and you cannot judge a coach after only a few months, and you keep Steve Komphela, who has not been with the club that long. Even Kennedy Mweene is still new to the technical team.
"This means they are doing away with the Pitso Mosimane regime. They are all gone. And there's a court case between Pitso and the club. Because honestly, there is nothing wrong right now that Manqoba has done."