Cardoso Hails Pirates, Suggests They Are Stronger Than Alger
Mamelodi Sundowns coach Miguel Cardoso appeared to aim a subtle dig at Rulani Mokwena’s MC Alger, suggesting the Soweto giants are stronger than the Algerian side.
Sundowns edged Orlando Pirates 2-1 in a blockbuster top-of-the-table clash in the Betway Premiership at FNB Stadium on Wednesday, cutting Pirates’ lead to three points with a game in hand.
Brayan Leon was the hero for Sundowns, scoring twice in the first half as the Brazilians moved to 35 points after 16 matches — three behind Pirates, who have played one game more.
The Colombian striker was also the hero in the match against Alger, scoring twice as Sundowns secured their place in the CAF Champions League quarter-finals this past weekend.
“Look, sometimes things go well, sometimes things don’t,” said Cardoso.
“I come from a small village in Portugal, and my family is very humble. That is the way we have to live this game.
“Football is like a car journey — sometimes you climb mountains, sometimes you go down. We worked a lot on our approach to this game, and I think it’s clear that we brought different ideas to deal with the challenges of how they play.
“This Pirates team is high quality. I said to my assistant coaches that I believe they are stronger than MC Alger — very strong, very, very strong.
“That’s why they are competing for the championship the way they are; that’s why Wednesday was very tough.
“This season, in 90 minutes, we have never beaten them, but we have also never lost to them. We lost on penalties in the MTN8 semi-final, as you know.
“It was very tough to prepare for this match, but I think the players understood the message — to control the spaces between the lines, manage the energy by keeping the ball, quieten the crowd by maintaining possession, and be aggressive in different moments.
“Obviously, the quality of the players we have allowed us to create opportunities, and that was the approach we communicated to them.
“As I said, sometimes things go well and sometimes they don’t — and that doesn’t mean we are now the best.”
Cardoso now turns his focus to the Nedbank Cup round of 16, where Sundowns face TS Galaxy on Saturday.
