Cardoso: Malian Can Be Sporting Against Glimt
Mamelodi Sundowns coach Miguel Cardoso has expressed wariness about a possible comeback from Stade Malien in the second leg of the CAF Champions League quarterfinals, comparing it to Sporting CP’s dramatic turnaround against FK Bodø/Glimt.
Sporting pulled off the unbelievable on Tuesday, scoring five goals in the second leg of the UEFA Champions League against Bodø/Glimt in the round of 16 after losing 3-0 in the first leg, to win 5-3 on aggregate.
Sundowns head into their second leg in Bamako on Sunday with a commanding 3-0 advantage after their dominant first-leg victory at home. Despite this cushion, Cardoso insists the tie is far from over.
Referencing the Sporting/ Bodo encounter, Cardoso has expressed caution ahead of this clash.
“The Champions League is an open game,” said Cardoso.
“I was just taking a look. Sporting Portugal lost 3-0 away in the first leg of the Champions League. And in the extra time, they were winning 4-0 at home. 4-3 in aggregate. So football shows us every day that stories can be done, and changes in games can be done. We cannot think that things are done; they should be controlled by us. I agree with that expression, but it should be controlled. I think control is after the whistle, we’ll start.
“So, the Champions League is not a story that is written yet. Regarding the victories, yes, the victories are done. Unfortunately, the last defeat we had was exactly the match in which Teboho Mokoena was given a red card. We were smashing Siwelele away, looking for a second goal to win. Otherwise, we probably could be in a better series.”
If Sundowns avoid an upset in Mali, they will secure a place in the semi-finals of the Champions League for the fourth consecutive season, having finished as runners-up in the previous campaign.
