Cardoso plots Al Ahly downfall as Mamelodi Sundowns eye Champions League redemption

Miguel Cardoso is not necessarily thinking of revenge, but Mamelodi Sundowns’ Portuguese coach would love nothing more than to get even with Al Ahly.

Beaten by the Egyptian giants in the CAF Champions League final last year when he was in charge of Espérance de Tunis, Cardoso now faces the African Club of the Century once again – this time in the semi-final of the continent’s premier club competition.

The bald-headed coach ensured that Sundowns exacted revenge on Espérance by beating the Blood and Gold 1-0 on aggregate in the quarter-finals, the South African champions holding Espérance goalless in Rades on Tuesday night. He was in charge of Espérance last season when they beat Sundowns 2-0 on aggregate in the semi-final and relished the opportunity to return the favour this time around.

“(I saw that) going through this stage would give something back that I took away (from Sundowns last year), and I am happy that it was time to make the other side happy,” Cardoso said after the goalless draw.

Looking ahead to the next stage, he believes Sundowns can overcome the holders.

“Al Ahly – we know that in the last seven or eight years, they have won the Champions League many times. Last year, I lost the final against them, but I think it is possible to beat them.

"We need to play two very complete games – two very strong games. We have to focus on the details; for sure, we need to be very strong and prepared in the best way.”

The discerning Sundowns fan would have noted just how pragmatic a coach Cardoso is, and would thus know that the Portuguese tactician will have a plan to deal with whatever Al Ahly bring.

Against Espérance on Tuesday night, Sundowns played the game as it needed to be played – cautiously and smartly. They defended solidly and, often uncharacteristically, hoofed the ball forward when the hosts applied pressure.

There were moments when they resembled the classy Sundowns who knock the ball about with purpose, and their talented players – Lucas Ribeiro and Marcelo Allende – turned on the magic with their skills. But overall, they were practical and played to ensure Espérance did not find their net.

It was generally not pretty, as Khuliso Mudau clattered into opponents, Bathusi Aubaas mowed down everything in front of him like the tractor he’s often likened to, and Ronwen Williams used every trick in the book to eat away the seconds.

That’s how to play in the Champions League, and it has seen Sundowns reach the penultimate stage of the competition for the second year running.

Can they now overcome the final hurdle and reach the final for the first time since they won the competition back in 2016?

It is a monstrous hurdle in the form of Al Ahly. But Cardoso believes they can overcome it – just as they did the difficult one in the form of Espérance.

“I tried to help as much as possible, and the players were so professional that I can only praise them. I would like to dedicate this victory to the Mamelodi Sundowns fans back in South Africa who support us every day.

"Congratulations. Now, let’s prepare ourselves for the future.”