CAF Champions League: Stade Malien coach Mauril Njoya disappointed after elimination

Stade Malien head coach Mauril Njoya cut a reflective figure after his side’s CAF Champions League exit to Mamelodi Sundowns, admitting that in a different era he might have questioned the circumstances surrounding the tie.

The Malian outfit claimed a 2–0 victory in the second leg on home soil on Sunday, but it proved insufficient to overturn the deficit, as Sundowns progressed to the semi-finals with a 3–2 aggregate scoreline.

Having gone into the return leg trailing by three goals, Stade Malien faced a daunting task from the outset. Despite a spirited response, their campaign came to an end, leaving Njoya to reflect on what might have been.

Speaking after the match in comments shared via the club’s official Facebook page, the Cameroonian tactician expressed disappointment while acknowledging his team’s effort.

“Quite simply, we are out of the competition, and we are very disappointed because any coach in my position would be disappointed.

“We went down fighting, and we had the ability and the opportunity to go as far as possible — to reach the semi-finals, and why not even the final.”

Njoya then offered a candid reflection on how his perspective has evolved over time, suggesting that in his younger years he might have drawn different conclusions.

“All things considered, when I was younger — if we go back thirty years — I would have said there was a plot orchestrated against my team, from Pretoria to Bamako.

“But I will not say that here. I will simply say that the rules of fair play require us to congratulate the opponent and to say that the referees were up to the task.”