Cardoso demands immediate Sundowns response after Champions League exit

Mamelodi Sundowns head coach Miguel Cardoso has challenged his players to respond quickly to their shock CAF Champions League elimination when they meet Marumo Gallants in the Carling Knockout last 16 at Loftus Versfeld Stadium on Tuesday.

Sundowns were eliminated after drawing with Angola’s Wiliete SC on Friday, ending their hopes of defending the continental title they won last season.

The result was a significant setback for the Tshwane club, whose main ambition had been to retain the Champions League crown. That objective came despite Sundowns already winning the MTN8 and FIFA African-Asian-Pacific Cup this season.

Cardoso said the disappointment would be difficult to overcome, but urged his side to concentrate on the trophies that remain available.

“For the rest of the season, it means that we have to focus even more on the competitions that we have to play,” Cardoso said.

“We already have a qualifying match for the Carling Knockout on Tuesday, and then we have the important championship match against Durban City on Saturday.

“And then we have a Super Cup final to play, so there are a lot of trophies to play for; obviously we won’t forget what it means to be out of the Champions League.”

The Portuguese coach accepted the scale of the disappointment, particularly after Sundowns’ recent success in Africa’s premier club competition.

The South African side had reached three successive Champions League finals before lifting the trophy last season. They had also been expected to qualify for the group stage for a 10th consecutive campaign.

“It is hard for the club, and it is hard for the coaches, as you can imagine. For me, it is hard after being in the final three years in a row, and it is hard for the club, as it was supposed to be the 10th straight time in the group stage,” he said.

“Maybe it is an important lesson to look ahead, and we need to focus ahead.”

Sundowns are still competing for domestic honours and will face USM Alger in the CAF Super Cup at Loftus Versfeld on 8 November.

Cardoso believes the way his squad responds to the defeat by Wiliete SC will shape the rest of the campaign.

“We have won two trophies, and we’re leading the league in South Africa, but this one is a big knockout,” he said.

“It’s a big punch in our face. What will make us stronger is how we’ll react, because there are so many things to win.”

He also said the elimination required collective scrutiny across the club.

“As I understand it, when we win, everybody wins, and when we lose, everybody loses. There are many reflections that we have to do together, but what will speak for Sundowns is the greatness that will come after this defeat.”

Tuesday’s match with Marumo Gallants represents Sundowns’ first chance to provide that response on the pitch, with Cardoso and his players under pressure to recover from the end of their continental title defence.