Cardoso Warns Sundowns Of Tougher Test In Bamako Despite Healthy Lead
Miguel Cardoso has warned his Mamelodi Sundowns players that the second leg in Bamako will be a completely different challenge, despite their commanding 3–0 advantage over Stade Malien in the first leg of the CAF Champions League quarter-finals.
Sundowns hammered the Malian side 3–0 at Loftus Versfeld Stadium on Friday night, giving them a strong advantage heading into the return leg next weekend.
The scoreline could have been even bigger for the hosts, but Malian goalkeeper N’Golo Traore produced impressive saves to deny Aubrey Modiba and Tashreeq Matthews from close range in the first half.
Sundowns also felt they should have been awarded a penalty when Matthews was brought down inside the box, but referee Pierre Atcho waved play on after reviewing the incident with VAR.
“It was an important result,” Cardoso told SuperSport TV after the match.
“It looks easy, but we need to remember this team played in a group with Espérance de Tunis, Simba SC and Petro de Luanda and finished first, so it is not easy to play against them.
“Today, despite the sloppy start, we outplayed them. But in Bamako it will be a different story. If we are not serious, it can be a different story, so we have to approach it the same way — very seriously — so that we can reach the semi-finals.
“But after this result, we have to go there and fight, try to win the match, and then come home.”
Even after Sundowns took a 2–0 lead through goals from Khuliso Mudau and Brayan Leon, Cardoso pushed for more goals to effectively kill the tie.
He introduced attacking players such as Monnapule Saleng, Iqraam Rayners, Marcelo Allende and Themba Zwane in a bid to pile further pressure on the visitors.
Cardoso made it clear he still wanted more.
“We felt there was a chance to get a very good result here, and I think 3–0 is a good result,” he added.
“But obviously, when you feel the opponent is down, you have to go for more. Now we must focus on Marumo Gallants in the league on Tuesday.”
