Mamelodi Sundowns coach Miguel Cardoso was left pleased with how his players coped in his first game against the Moroccan giant Raja Club Athletic at Loftus Stadium on Sunday.

The Portuguese tactician won his first game as a Sundowns coach against Moroccan giants in the CAF Champions League group stage. 

Sundowns had to dig deep to get over the line, with Bafana Bafana striker Iqraam Rayners scoring a great goal to ensure the Brazilians win. 

Captain Ronwen Williams’ pass from his goal line broke many lines to release Kutlwano Letlhaku out wide, with the youngster setting up the former Stellenbosch striker to finish off from the edge of the box to see Sundowns get going in this competition after playing two draws.  

 “Naturally, very pleased with the results,” Cardoso said after the game. 

“Very, very pleased for the support we received throughout these four days that we are here and from today, from all the club structure and our fans. 

“Also very happy, mostly by the commitment that our players had from the very first moment that allowed us in four days to try to come here in the best way possible, in a tactical play, but mostly to build a spirit that allowed us today to arrive in the end with a victory. 

“A very tough game as expected in a group full of teams with the level of the ones we are facing. But as I said from the very first day, big respect for the opponents and a big respect for ourselves. 

“And respect for ourselves is exactly what we saw in the pitch. It’s trying to make the best of every moment in team spirit like a true brotherhood that we saw and that we have in our group.” 

The Brazilians remain in second place in Group B with five points after three games. Raja on the other side is at the bottom of the table with only one point they got against AS Maniema Union.