Sundowns boss Cardoso calls Wiliete tie ‘another final’ in Champions League

Mamelodi Sundowns coach Miguel Cardoso says Friday’s CAF Champions League group stage play-off against Wiliete SC is every bit as important as the club’s recent MTN8 and FIFA Intercontinental Cup matches.

Sundowns beat Orlando Pirates in the domestic cup before defeating Saudi giants Al Ahli in the Intercontinental Cup, but their attention has now turned to the decisive second leg of their African title defence.

The sides drew 0-0 in the first leg in Angola last Sunday, leaving Sundowns needing a victory at Loftus Versfeld to guarantee their place in the next phase.

Cardoso said the team had increased its efforts in training since returning from Angola as it prepared for a match he considers equal in significance to the club’s previous high-pressure fixtures.

“This game is another final for us because we’ve been playing finals since the season started and that is the reality,” he said.

“This competition is comprised of stages, and there are finals to play at every stage.”

The goalless draw means the tie remains finely balanced, with Sundowns aware that the outcome could be decided by penalties or by a single goal.

“We know that if we win we will go through and if we draw 0-0 again then we will go for penalties, but if we draw with goals then we are out so we have to bring our best level,” Cardoso said.

A score draw would send Wiliete through because of the away-goals rule, while another goalless stalemate would lead to a penalty shootout.

Cardoso also warned that Sundowns must be precise in every aspect of the match, recalling that the club have previously been knocked out of the Champions League by an Angolan side.

The Portuguese coach therefore expects his players to approach the second leg with full concentration as they seek to avoid another early setback against opposition from Angola.

Sundowns’ recent results have given them momentum, but Cardoso’s message is that their domestic cup success and win over Al Ahli will have no bearing on Friday’s challenge. Progress in the CAF Champions League will depend on producing the required performance at Loftus Versfeld.