Miguel Cardoso says Mamelodi Sundowns have only themselves to blame after CAF Champions League exit

Mamelodi Sundowns head coach Miguel Cardoso says his side’s failure to reach the CAF Champions League group stages was entirely self-inflicted after they were eliminated by Wiliete SC in the second preliminary round.

Sundowns, the defending champions, will not feature in the group stage for the first time since 2015 after their surprise exit from the competition.

Cardoso said the result was particularly difficult to accept because Wiliete had created very little during the match, while Sundowns failed to make the most of their own opportunities.

“It’s obviously difficult to express anything when you don’t qualify for the group stages and you cannot even proceed in the competition and defend the title,” he told SABC Sport.

“But we just can look at ourselves. I think besides one shot from the first half there is nothing from Wiliete in this match.

“The goal they score is a pass from our own striker. We had so many chances, we can only complain on us, it’s a very tough night, very difficult moment.”

The Portuguese coach also felt Sundowns lost control after conceding, despite having around 40 minutes remaining to recover from the setback.

He said the players allowed their emotions to affect their decision-making instead of continuing to play in a controlled and intelligent manner.

“We can only complain on us on what we could have done, the game was so simple to close it but we let the energy not go in the right direction and after we suffered the goal still 40 minutes to play and we let emotions take control of us and not play in the most clever way.”

The result ends Sundowns’ defence of the CAF Champions League title and leaves the club needing to turn their attention to other competitions.

Cardoso acknowledged the disappointment but said the team must respond quickly rather than dwell on the elimination.

“It’s a very tough result, disaster is another thing in life,” he added.

“The only way is to move forward. There is competitions to win, very quickly we have to turn over.

“Obviously it’s a tough one and fortunately a lot of losses we had, but nothing to complain.

“Just look forward and win.”