Cardoso Demands “Complete Performance”
Mamelodi Sundowns coach Miguel Cardoso says his side will need a complete performance to overcome FAR Rabat in the first leg of the CAF Champions League final at Loftus Versfeld Stadium on Sunday — and believes they are capable of delivering exactly that.
Sundowns enter this game unbeaten in their last eight home matches against Moroccan opposition in the CAF Champions League, recording four wins and four draws.
The Brazilians have also reached the Champions League final for the fourth time in the club’s history, which is more any side in the PSL.
They lost to Al Ahly in 2001 (4-1 on aggregate), defeated Zamalek in 2016 (3-1 on aggregate), and lost to Pyramids in the 2024/25 final (3-2 on aggregate).
In addition, Sundowns are unbeaten at home in the Champions League over the past two seasons (P11 W6 D5), winning each of their last three home matches without conceding a goal.
Despite those impressive statistics — and facing an FAR Rabat side appearing in the final for the first time — Cardoso, who has previously lost two Champions League finals, insists his team must produce a near-perfect display before next weekend’s second leg in Morocco.
“Obviously, a complete match will allow us to take advantage of the situation,” said Cardoso.
“Are we capable of doing it? Of course we are capable of doing it. Are we committed and ready to put in the proper energy to do it? Of course we are.
“Do we need the help of our supporters to cheer us on and bring the energy that will help us manage the emotions throughout the match and achieve the result? Of course we need that.”
Sundowns have scored six goals from build-up attacks involving sequences of 10 or more passes in this season’s Champions League — three times more than all the other teams combined in the competition this term (2).
Meanwhile, Brayan León has scored five of Sundowns’ last seven Champions League goals, finding the net in each of his last four starts in the competition. No player on record since 2016 has scored in five consecutive Champions League starts.
“And that is what we ask for. We know that any team at this stage of the CAF Champions League can win a match anywhere,” Cardoso continued.
“That is exactly where we need to be — understanding the quality of the opposition, but also recognising the strength we have within our own team.
“That is what we need to push ourselves to the limit, minimise what the opponent can do, and approach this match in the correct way.”
