Cardoso promises Sundowns fans fight after CAF Champions League exit

Miguel Cardoso has made a pledge to Mamelodi Sundowns supporters following the club’s unexpected exit from the CAF Champions League, iDiski Times reported on Tuesday.

Sundowns were knocked out after a 1-1 draw with Angola’s Wiliete SC at Loftus Versfeld. Because of the result, the visitors went through to the next stage on the away-goals rule.

A major setback for the Tshwane giants

The elimination means Sundowns will miss the Champions League group stages for the first time since 2015. For a club that has become a regular fixture at that stage of the continental competition, the early exit is a significant blow.

Even so, Cardoso insists the disappointment will not derail the rest of the season. According to the report, he has pledged that Sundowns will fight for every trophy they are still in contention for.

What Cardoso told the supporters

Speaking after the result, Cardoso acknowledged that the team had failed to deliver when it mattered. “We had a big setback, we had an important moment that we should have accomplished and we didn’t,” he said, as quoted by Mahlatse Mphahlele.

He said the only response available to the team was to be as strong as possible. Cardoso made it clear that he was not offering guarantees of success, but he did commit the team to effort. He said Sundowns would offer “work and determination and a lot of commitment” to their supporters.

Cardoso also appealed directly to the fans for backing. “We need them, the energy from the fans,” he said, adding that he wanted everybody around the team to stay positive.

The Sundowns coach also pointed to the club’s injury problems. He said the team had suffered a lot of setbacks through injuries, but that players were returning and the team would keep going.

What happens next

With the continental campaign over at this stage, Sundowns’ focus shifts to the other competitions they remain in. The source did not list those fixtures or competitions, so supporters will be watching closely to see how the team responds on the pitch.

For now, Cardoso’s message is a simple one: no promises of silverware, but a commitment to effort, and a request that the fans stay behind the team.

This story is based on reporting by iDiski Times.