Cardoso Unfazed By Group B Finish, Eyes Quarterfinal Charge

Mamelodi Sundowns coach Miguel Cardoso says it is insignificant that his side did not finish atop Group B of the CAF Champions League because the teams are equally strong and those who reached the quarterfinals are all formidable.
He also stated that Sundowns, by the time the quarterfinals commence, will be bolstered by the return of injured players such as Mothobi Mvala and the two suspended players, Bathusi Aubaas and Khuliso Mudau.
Sundowns reached the quarterfinals after drawing 1-1 with Moroccan side FAR Rabat at Loftus Stadium on Sunday.
The 2016 Champions League champions took the lead early in the game through Peter Shalulile, but Rabat scored in the second half to secure a point and finish top of Group B.
This means Sundowns will not be seeded in the quarterfinals and have lost the advantage of playing the second leg at home.
“The teams are all equal in the next round,” said Cardoso, who was appointed in December when Sundowns had drawn their first group stage matches under sacked coach Manqoba Mngqithi.
“Because of that, being first or second, it is not a big different because teams are identical in terms of capacity. But they might play differently, but they are strong all of them, like us.
“So, it is time to close the door of the Champions, because there is a long way until April when we play the next round.
“But I believe in that moment we will be much stronger because as you know, we have many problems with players that can reinforce the team, not only Aubaas and Mudau who got red cards in the game against Raja Casablanca and could not even contribute to the team.
“We also have Aubrey Modiba that got injured in that game and we have some players that will come from injuries and Mothobi for an example.
“I hope he can return and play. So, the team will be for sure more strong to face we have had. But it is time really time to close this door, mission accomplished, very well done from the boys.
“Bitter sense, yes, it is true about the table. But the bitter should only be the energy to move forward, nothing more than that.
“It is so good when you have a bitter sense because you passed the group stages to finish second in the position.
“Everyone knew that in the last seven years the club has gone through, so there was a bit of concern regarding that we needed to make a result and we did it.”
The quarterfinals draw will take place in the coming weeks, and CAF has yet to confirm the date. However, Sundowns, now unseeded for the first time since 2018, will face one of the teams such as Orlando Pirates, Al-Hilal, and Esperance, who are all seeded.
The latter is Cardoso’s former club, which knocked Sundowns out of the semifinals last season before losing to Al Ahly.