Cardoso raises concerns over alleged tactical leak ahead of CAF Champions League first leg final clash

Mamelodi Sundowns head coach Miguel Cardoso has raised concerns over what he describes as the unusually fast circulation of tactical footage of his team, suggesting that Moroccan side AS FAR may have gained early access to detailed match analysis ahead of their CAF Champions League first-leg final.

Cardoso claims that AS FAR were in possession of a wide-angle tactical recording of Sundowns’ recent domestic fixture against Kaizer Chiefs just a day after the match was played.

According to him, the material would have provided a comprehensive breakdown of Sundowns’ structure, in-possession patterns, defensive organisation and transitional movements.

The Portuguese coach suggested that such rapid access to detailed tactical footage could offer a competitive edge in preparing for a high-stakes continental final, allowing opponents to study positional habits and potential weaknesses well in advance of the encounter.

While he stopped short of making formal accusations, Cardoso insisted he is confident about the origin of the footage and hinted that internal match recording or distribution channels may have played a role in how quickly the video became available.

The remarks come on the eve of a crucial fixture in the CAF Champions League calendar, with Sundowns set to host AS FAR in the first leg of the final.

The match is scheduled for Sunday, 17 May 2026, at Tshwane in South Africa, kicking off at 16h00 local time (14h00 GMT).