Cardoso: My Players Are Confronting Difficult Times
Miguel Cardoso, the head coach of Mamelodi Sundowns, expressed his sympathy for his players after their defeat in the CAF Champions League final, stating, “it’s never enjoyable to participate in a final and not secure a victory.”
Sundowns suffered a 2-1 loss to Pyramids in the second leg at the 30 June Stadium on Sunday, leading to a 3-2 aggregate defeat.
The first leg in Pretoria ended with a 1-1 draw. The renowned African side struggled to establish their gameplay in both matches, with Pyramids showcasing effective counter-attacks and set-pieces, scoring their second goal on Sunday from a set play.
“Our players showcased exceptional commitment, a positive outlook, and high standards,” Cardoso remarked at the post-match press conference. “Leading them to this final fills me with pride. The experience of competing in a final and not winning is undeniably difficult and disappointing.”
He added, “As I mentioned in the earlier press conference, I am thankful to have such an incredible group of men in my locker room, and currently, they are certainly feeling the burden of this result.”
However, Sundowns’ season is not yet concluded. The team will take a brief hiatus before traveling to the United States for the FIFA Club World Cup. They are set to face Ulsan HD from Korea on June 18, followed by a match against German powerhouse Borussia Dortmund three days later, and will wrap up their group stage against Brazilian team Fluminense on June 25.
“My players will recover as the true champions they are, outstanding individuals who embody the spirit of champions through their commitment. We will move forward. There is still much to accomplish,” Cardoso asserted.
“Right now, our focus is to regroup and set new objectives. We aim for another chance to compete in a Champions League final and to perform even better than we did this time.”
This marks the second consecutive season in which Cardoso has experienced a loss in the Champions League final. Last season, while coaching Esperance, his team was defeated by record-holders Al Ahly, whom Sundowns overcame in this season’s semi-finals. Moreover, this is the second time Sundowns, who won this competition in 2016, have faced defeat in the Champions League final, having also lost to the same Egyptian team, Al Ahly, in 2021.
