Cardoso Highlights Significance Of Sold-Out Loftus For CAFCL Final
Mamelodi Sundowns coach Miguel Cardoso has highlighted the importance of playing the first leg of their CAF Champions League final against Pyramids FC in front of a sold-out crowd at Loftus Versfeld Stadium on Saturday.
Since his arrival, the Portuguese mentor has been vocal about the lack of attendance from the Masandawana faithful, constantly urging the supporters to fill up the stadium, particularly in high-stakes continental clashes on home soil.
Now, ahead of the first meeting of the two-legged encounter against the ambitious Egyptian outfit, the 52-year-old tactician is pleased to finally have the full backing of the club’s supporters in a crucial match after previously voicing his displeasure following the stalemate with Al Ahly in the semi-final.
“Obviously, we would like to have a full stadium, we would like to celebrate [with our supporters]. I spoke in the previous games before about the attendance, that we didn’t have a full stadium that could cheer and push us up, I see that we are going to get it on Saturday,” said Cardoso.
“We also need that energy that’s coming from our fans, that’s basically what you get when you’re playing away, mostly on the Northern parts of the continent. Yes, it’s full stadiums with lots of energy in the moment the game is in because it has different moments.”
Cardoso went on to explain how the 12th man’s presence benefits the team, pointing out the advantage of having fans rally behind the players from the first to the last whistle as he looks to use his side’s home ground advantage to great effect.
“They [supporters] can lift us, support us up, lift us again. So, keep pushing because the people from outside can give a lot of energy inside – a lot of energy. And a lot of energy on the field puts the physical demands of the game even higher; that is how it is,” the Downs coach added.
“When there is loud ambience, the players run more, and they put more intensity. So, it means the game goes on a level that’s more difficult to cope with, the players will be in emotions that will make them do the things we know they can do in terms of quality or football actions.
“So, when I speak about having the people at the stadium, it’s not only profiting from the spectacle that we give because they [players] do give a wonderful spectacle of football games for people. But also, we have to put the product at a high standard because this is a high standard that we can achieve coming from the people that really fill the stadium, and also a different level of energy.
He continued: “So, I really hope we can have that energy; a lot of people enjoying, a lot of people profiting, but it seems that a lot of people will not because there are PSL games at the same time. But let’s hope the ones that will watch our game will enjoy, and hope the ones that want to go to the stadium will go.”
The Brazilians will be eager to secure a favorable result in the capital before jetting off to Cairo, where the return leg is penciled for 1 June. The winner of the tie will lift the new CAF Champions League trophy that was unveiled on Thursday in Johannesburg.
