Miguel Cardoso says Mamelodi Sundowns are bigger than Champions League title defence

Mamelodi Sundowns coach Miguel Cardoso says the club’s status as an African football powerhouse does not depend solely on defending their CAF Champions League crown.

Sundowns won their second continental title last season, ending a 10-year wait, and are consequently regarded as the side to beat throughout this year’s competition.

However, Cardoso believes the club’s reputation was firmly established long before that success. Only Themba Zwane and Denis Onyango remain from the squad that lifted the trophy under former manager Pitso Mosimane in the 2015/16 season, meaning much of the current group is experiencing the pressure of being champions for the first time.

The coach said Sundowns had already demonstrated their strength in recent campaigns, reaching the final in the season before last and the semi-finals the year before that.

“I think it’s the same as it was before,” Cardoso said when asked about the pressure on Sundowns this season. “Sundowns were a big team even before winning the Champions League for the second time. In the previous season, we played in the final, and the season before that, we played in the semi-finals.

“I remember when I came to face Sundowns, I already viewed them as a massive powerhouse. Nothing has changed – we just added a second star now.

“The issue is not how other teams see us, but how we stay humble, understand how to fight, and compete in these competitions. It’s about how we present ourselves entirely.”

Sundowns face a decisive second leg against Wiliete at Loftus Versfeld on Friday night, with kick-off at 8pm. The first meeting in Angola ended goalless, leaving Cardoso’s team needing to win in regulation time or prevail in a penalty shootout to reach the next stage.

A draw featuring goals would eliminate the South African side, while another 0-0 result would send the tie to penalties.

“We know that if we win, we go through. If we draw 0-0, we go to penalties, and if we draw with goals, we are out,” Cardoso said.

The coach also referred to Sundowns’ three successive victories in finals as evidence of the mentality required for the challenge, while stressing that the team must perform at its highest level.

“But finals are meant to be won. If we play at our highest level, we will achieve the result that allows us to advance to the next stage of the competition.”