Miguel Cardoso warns Mamelodi Sundowns against complacency in Williete SC decider

Mamelodi Sundowns head coach Miguel Cardoso has urged the defending African champions to remain focused as they seek to secure a place in the CAF Champions League group stages against Williete SC on Friday.

Sundowns take a positive result into the second leg of their second preliminary round tie against the Angolan side, but Cardoso says the tie is not yet settled. He pointed to the club’s previous elimination by Petro de Luanda as evidence of the difficulties they can face against opposition from Angola.

“I’m not downplaying the importance of the game, I’m saying all games are important, we are playing finals, they are all important at different levels, a Champions League final is obviously not the same as a Carling Cup match,” Cardoso said.

“We got knocked out in the past by Petro de Luanda, this team is first in Angola, only conceded one goal. I said the draw was not kind, but Sundowns will state their level, we got a result that will put us in control to finish it.”

Cardoso demands full focus

Although Sundowns have put themselves in a strong position before the return fixture, Cardoso believes any suggestion that the match will be straightforward could work against his team.

He said the technical staff must select the strongest starting line-up and determine which players are best placed to complete the tie.

“Will it be easy? Nothing is easy in the Champions League, it will be a misjudgement to say it’s easy, we need to fight for this – find the best ones to start and figure out who is the best to finish [the fixture],” he added.

Sundowns are attempting to progress through the preliminary rounds and continue their defence of the continental title they won last season.

Defender Thapelo Morena also stressed the significance of Friday’s match, with Sundowns determined to reach the group stages and keep their campaign to retain the CAF Champions League on course.

“It’s an important game for us to get into the group stages, we want to get back, things didn’t go well [in Angola], what happened happened, but the most important thing is what happens on Friday,” Morena said.

Sundowns will now look to complete the job against Williete SC and move closer to retaining their status as African champions.