Mamelodi Sundowns coach Cardoso urges calm ahead Esperance return clash

Mamelodi Sundowns coach Miguel Cardoso has called for calm and focus ahead of the decisive CAF Champions League semi-final second leg against Esperance Sportive de Tunis.

The South African champions head into the return fixture in Pretoria holding a narrow but valuable 1–0 advantage from the first leg in Tunis, where they produced a disciplined and efficient performance to edge the contest.

The only goal of the encounter came through Colombian striker Brayan Leone, who finished off a well-delivered cross from Thapelo Morena, giving Sundowns a crucial away victory and a slender lead to defend at home.

Despite the positive result, Cardoso has moved quickly to temper expectations, stressing that the tie remains finely balanced and far from decided.

“Now we are just at half-time—that’s how important it is to go to the second match,” he said as the side gears up for the return clash.

He also revealed that final decisions regarding team selection and tactical structure are still being assessed, with preparations focused on understanding the best way to approach the decisive clash in Pretoria.

“Regarding the line-up for the second leg, who’s in, who’s out, let’s go back to Pretoria, let’s understand how we want to play the game and then what we have to do,” he explained.

Cardoso further emphasized the magnitude of the occasion, highlighting the pedigree of Esperance as one of Africa’s most successful and respected clubs.

“Esperance is a big club whoever is the coach, a big team whoever is the coach,” he said. “That all comes from their history. It’s exactly the same thing with Sundowns—it’s not the coach that makes the club, it’s the fans, the board, the history, and the players.”

The message from the Sundowns camp is clear: despite their advantage, there will be no room for complacency when the two sides meet again in what promises to be a high-stakes, tightly contested semi-final decider.

With a place in the CAF Champions League final on the line, Sundowns know that discipline, focus, and composure will be just as important as their lead going into the second leg.