Mamelodi Sundowns coach Miguel Cardoso has revealed what forced him to make a sub to introduce Kutlwano Letlhaku before the second half got underway and remove Siphelele Mkhulise which at the end was telling. 

The former Espérance Sportive de Tunis coach won his first game as a Sundowns coach as they beat the Moroccan giant Raja 1-0 at Loftus Stadium on Sunday. 

The Bafana Bafana striker Iqraam Rayners scored the game’s only goal from the assistant of Sundowns academy graduate to see the African giants up and running in the CAF Champions League. 

This was the first win for the Brazilians in the group stage of the Champions League, having drawn the previous two matches which resulted in the sacking of coach Manqoba Mngqithi. 

“Raja, as I said, came with a 4-4-2 structure, pressing high or not pressing high but overall good build-up,” Cardoso said. 

“Usually, they used to defend with 4-1,4-1 blocks which allows them with a build-up. So, we had to reorganize ourselves considering how to have a possibility to go in front. 

“So, that’s why we changed and not because the player [Mkhulise] was not doing well, it’s because we needed other players. Most of my changes have to do with tactical analysis of managing the game.” 

Cardoso had only three days to prepare for this game as he joined Sundowns on Tuesday and started working on Wednesday. The Sundowns coach added that what does this victory means to him since he didn’t get enough time to prepare for the game. 

“It’s a game that makes us believe more and more obviously,” added Cardoso. 

“When you manage the game with different approaches and then you make things the right way that makes us go, believing in ourselves and all the structure, everybody, and players, everything is possible. 

“I felt that commitment from the first day, I understood from the very first day even after I’ve studied the club. This re-enforces me here in the group but it’s just a starting point, we have so much to do. 

 “So, I don’t take myself too much up when we win the game. Remember in the press conference on Friday, I spoke about not perfection but keeping consistency if you want to achieve something. 

 “So, let’s be constant as much as possible knowing behavior, knowing your way of belief, and better of living. Today it was an important one, so let’s recover and focus on the next one, and this group is completely open we just need to do our best.” 

 This game was the last game for Sundowns in 2024 in the Champions League. They will now play next year and their first game will be against Raja again in Morocco.