Cardoso left searching for answers after Sundowns lose CAF Super Cup final

Mamelodi Sundowns coach Miguel Cardoso said he was struggling to explain his team’s collapse after they were beaten 3-1 by USM Alger in the CAF Super Cup at Loftus Versfeld on Sunday afternoon.

The Portuguese coach argued that Sundowns had been the better team for periods of the final, but accepted that USM Alger were significantly more effective when chances came their way.

Cardoso said the match had been decided by the fine margins that often determine cup finals, while also making clear that Sundowns’ elimination from the CAF Champions League remained a more painful disappointment than their defeat by the Algerian side.

“A final is a game of details and we have to be honest about that because the result can go either way in game like this,” he said.

The Sundowns coach described USM Alger’s goals as “bonuses” presented to their opponents, as his side failed to convert their periods of pressure into a result.

“We could still play the way we wanted to play although the wind was trying to make it difficult for us and when we overcame the first line of pressure we created opportunities in the box, but then the game turned around again in their favour,” Cardoso said.

He added: “Now we must focus on our Carling Knockout Cup semi-final.”

Sundowns’ preparations were disrupted before and during the match. Nuno Santos was lost during the warm-up, while Brayan Leon had to be replaced shortly after kick-off after suffering an injury.

Cardoso said the difficult weather conditions, combined with those changes to his team, contributed to Sundowns being put on the back foot.

However, he also acknowledged that his side had not produced their best performance against a determined USM Alger team.

USM Alger remain on course to defend their CAF Confederation Cup title this season, while Sundowns must now turn their attention to the Carling Knockout Cup semi-final.

The result leaves Cardoso facing questions about how his team allowed the final to move away from them despite creating opportunities and, in his view, controlling significant parts of the contest.