Cardoso admits Sundowns’ Champions League exit hurt badly

Mamelodi Sundowns coach Miguel Cardoso has described the club’s early Champions League exit as “a big punch in our faces”, according to iDiski Times. He spoke after being asked whether he can rescue the season and whether the setback could cost him his job.

The reigning African champions went out in the second preliminary round on away goals. The first meeting in Angola ended without a goal, and the return at Loftus Versfeld on Friday night finished 1-1.

How the tie slipped away

Tashreeq Matthews gave Sundowns the lead in the 11th minute. Cristóvão “Mabululu” Paciência equalised for Wiliete just after the break, in the 48th minute. Sundowns outshot the Angolan side by 18 attempts to six but could not score again. It is the first time in 11 seasons that the club will not feature in the group phase.

Cardoso said he told his players at half-time that they should have settled the contest. He felt the team was not strong enough and that football punishes sides that fail to finish when they have the chance.

Cardoso’s response

The coach did not speak directly about his own future. He pointed instead to the club’s record in the competition: two semi-finals and two finals in the last four years, with the two finals coming under him. He also noted that Sundowns had played for two trophies this season, won both and are leading the league.

He accepted blame himself and spread it across the squad, saying that when the team wins everyone wins and when it loses everyone loses. He said there would be reflection and analysis to do together. He declined to criticise the players, the coaching staff or the support from the club.

Cardoso insisted the season was “very far from being a catastrophe”. He said there is another final to be played at the same stadium in a week and a half to two weeks. He believes the team’s reaction will define it more than the result, and he promised “a lot of fire” at the club’s training base in Chloorkop. He called for unity within the squad.

What it means for supporters

Sundowns fans can look ahead to the final Cardoso mentioned, which he said will be played at the same stadium within about two weeks. He asked supporters to fill the venue and bring the same energy to the team.

This story is based on reporting by iDiski Times.