Mamelodi Sundowns reach continental quarter-final as Miguel Cardoso keeps perspective

Coach Miguel Cardoso was humble in victory as Mamelodi Sundowns progressed to the quarter-final of the CAF Champions League, following their final group stage match on Valentine’s Day.

Sundowns reached their eighth successive knockout stage of the premier continental showpiece after a 2-0 win over MC Alger at Loftus Versfeld, inspiring them to runners-up finish in Group B, just behind log leaders Al Hilal.

That victory and progression momentarily lifted the pressure off Cardoso’s shoulders, as he had arrived at the game under a dark cloud of negativity and controversy.

Cardoso had been under intense scrutiny after his team was criticised for failing to produce their traditional style of football and a run of inconsistent results. He was also in the spotlight after his analyst, Mario Masha, who has since been suspended, allegedly leaked training information and footage to former Sundowns’ coach and current Alger incumbent, Rulani Mokwena.

Given all the outside noise surrounding him and the club, Cardoso was modest after getting a third victory in four meetings against Mokwena. He insisted the team is nowhere near an “ideal project.”

“We just won one match, guys. That doesn’t mean we’ve become the best team in the world. If we didn’t win, we would have been the worst team,” Cardoso said. 

“Sometimes, the coaches, players, and analysis change a lot because of one match, but I think we made a hell of a match. Everything is based on the steps that are taken to solve a decision.”

While Sundowns are not yet home and dry – they’ll face Orlando Pirates in a must-win Betway Premiership clash at FNB Stadium on Wednesday night and need to trim the gap at the top of the log to three points – Cardoso insisted it was important to celebrate Saturday’s win and look forward to the knockout stage.

“There’s still another one (tough game) that’s ahead on Wednesday, but let’s now enjoy this victory today (Saturday), and the fact that we are once again among the best eight teams on the continent,” Cardoso said.

“The knockout stage has tough problems, but beautiful ones. I was quite happy with the performances of the boys today. I think they understood what needed to be done from start to finish.”