Exclusive: Sundowns Losing Their Spark and Identity, says Benedict Vilakazi

Former Mamelodi Sundowns midfielder Benedict Vilakazi has voiced concern that the former CAF Champions League winners have lost the sharpness and identity that once set them apart as they prepare to begin their latest continental campaign.

The Brazilians are set to travel to Nigeria to face Premier Football League champions Remo Stars on Sunday at the Abiola International Stadium (kickoff 5pm SA time).

Trips to West Africa have traditionally proven difficult for South African clubs in the Champions League, and Sundowns will be hoping to overcome that history by claiming their first-ever win on Nigerian soil in the competition.

They come up against a Remo Stars side that will be contesting their first-ever second preliminary round match, another milestone after clinching the Nigerian Premier Football League title in the 2024/25 season.

This fixture marks the beginning of the Brazilians' continental journey this season. Despite an unconvincing domestic run, they are eager to rediscover the rhythm that once made them one of the most feared sides on the continent.

Vilakazi believes the team has drifted from the formula that brought them success, arguing that their recent struggles reflect a loss of footballing identity.

The shoeshine is missing the piano

“In football, there are always periods when things don’t go your way,” Vilakazi told Sportsboom.co.za. 

“You can even win matches without conviction or structure, and that’s where Sundowns find themselves right now.”

“This team still has top-quality players, probably only Orlando Pirates can match them in terms of squad depth, but they’re no longer playing that entertaining ‘shoe-shine and piano’ football that defined their best years.”

“Even when they win, the creativity is missing. Something has shifted, and they need to find their way back to the real Sundowns style.”

Head coach Miguel Cardoso remains under increasing pressure following an inconsistent start to the campaign. Despite leading the Betway Premiership standings, Sundowns’ early exits from both the MTN8 and Carling Knockout competitions have raised questions about their direction and momentum.

With the international break now over, attention turns to the Champions League, a competition the Brazilians hope to conquer for only the second time in their history.

Vilakazi doubts whether the current team can replicate last season’s success, when they reached the final before losing 3-2 on aggregate to Egyptian side Pyramids FC.

“My worry is how they’ll follow up what they did last season,” he said. 

“The Champions League is all about performance levels, and with the way they’re playing now, I don’t see them making another final.”

“If we’re honest, even last season’s run wasn’t entirely convincing. They reached the final, yes, but they didn’t look like a team ready to win it.”

Past success has raised huge expectations

Cardoso’s record includes back-to-back Champions League finals, with Esperance de Tunis and later with Sundowns, as well as a strong 2025 FIFA Club World Cup showing. Yet Vilakazi feels that despite those achievements, the team’s style and spirit have faded under his leadership.

“He reached finals with two different clubs, but if you look at the football itself, the style tells you the real story.”

“At a club like Sundowns, the philosophy, the coach’s ideas, and the players’ ability should work together.”

“I don’t like dwelling on the past, but in recent years, whenever Sundowns have gone with foreign coaches, trophies haven’t followed.”

“When Pitso (Mosimane) took charge, he revived the team’s culture and identity, that’s when the dominance began. Let me ask: when Pitso was there, did they have a technical director?”

“They didn’t, he led with his technical team and built something special. It’s no coincidence that Sundowns won the league eight years in a row." 

"Right now, though, I’m not convinced by their style or by whether they can make another final. But we’ll have to wait and see," he concluded.