Cardoso praises Sundowns’ composure after CAF Champions League progress

Miguel Cardoso credited Mamelodi Sundowns’ ability to secure a positive result in their CAF Champions League quarter-final second leg away to Espérance de Tunis to his players’ focus and composure in shutting out external noise and concentrating solely on events on the pitch.

The South African champions forced a goalless draw to win the tie 1–0 on aggregate, having beaten Espérance by a solitary Peter Shalulile goal in the first leg at Loftus Versfeld. They will now face defending champions Al Ahly in the semi-final.

Speaking during the post-match press conference, Cardoso explained that his previous experience working at Espérance – he was in charge of the Tunisian side last year when they knocked Sundowns out in the semi-finals – had proved valuable.

“It helped me to prepare the players emotionally, because I said to them we must channel our emotions in the right direction,” Cardoso explained, while admitting that it had been a tough evening, with the opponents throwing everything at them, helped by a vociferous partisan crowd.

"Even last year, I told the players here that we should not engage with the people outside the pitch, but focus on what is happening on the pitch. The players were at a very high level. They focused on what they had to do and never let the distractions around them affect their performance.”

He said the atmosphere – naturally pro the home side – was the kind all professional players relish.

“It was a beautiful ambience, and it is a privilege to play in such an environment. Footballers love to perform in atmospheres like this.

"It is different from what we have in South Africa – not better or worse – just different, because the cultures are not the same. My players enjoyed the challenge of facing a very strong team that employed tactics we are not used to.”

Cardoso felt that everything went according to plan, despite the match being a stern test.

“It was not an easy match, but I didn’t expect it to be. We knew what kind of game to play and who we were up against.

"We must remember that this team were Champions League finalists last year. But we knew we had the capacity and the quality – if we played the right way – to beat them.

“So, the challenge we gave our players was just that – how strong could we be, as a team, to beat Espérance?

"I think, tactically, we approached the game correctly, allowing us to control their offensive capabilities. We always looked for the opportunity to score.

We didn’t score, but we were strong enough not to concede; strong enough to play the match in the way it demanded.”

He took some of the credit for Sundowns’ progress into the semi-finals.

“I tried to help as much as possible the moment I felt it was right to reinforce the backline and close out the game,” he said, of the changes he made, which were largely defensive in nature.

“And the players were so professional and so capable in executing that plan, 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 what lies ahead.”

What lies ahead in the competition is a familiar and formidable opponent – one who have often had the better of Sundowns.

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

“We need to deliver two very complete games – two very strong performances. We must focus on the details. We have to be exceptionally strong and prepared in the best possible way.”