CAF Champions League – Mamelodi Sundowns held by Wiliete, Cardoso dissatisfied

The African champions’ coach reacts after the draw

Africa Today at 05:06

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CAF Champions League – Mamelodi Sundowns held by Wiliete, Cardoso dissatisfied

18.10.26 FT CAF Champions League

Wiliete Benguela

Mamelodi Sundowns FC

Defending champions Mamelodi Sundowns failed to convince on Sunday afternoon in their opening CAF Champions League match, drawing 0-0 away to Angolan side Wiliete SC.

A very frustrating draw after the match was delayed by half an hour due to the weather because of the threat of a storm. Mamelodi Sundowns failed to overcome Wiliete in a match that ended 0-0, despite missing several good chances in the first 45 minutes.

In addition to having a second leg to play, in which everything remains to be done to qualify for the group stage, the Brazilians lost Teboho Mokoena to injury, while goalkeeper Ronwen Williams was unavailable for the match.

Our first #TotalEnergiesCAFCL preliminary fixture ends in a draw. Let's get it done at Loftus 💪 Wiliete SC 0⃣➖0️⃣ Mamelodi Sundowns #Sundowns #NeverStopRising https://t.co/GByD82ZXV9
— Mamelodi Sundowns FC (@Masandawana) October 18, 2026

Cardoso takes stock after the draw

Speaking at a press conference after the match, the South African coach made no secret of his disappointment. “Despite our intentions, we are not satisfied with this result. Of course, we could have scored. There were moments in the first half when the match could have become — I wouldn’t say easy, but let’s say we were in a position to create chances. On the other hand, in the second half, we struggled to impose our game, so we need to correct certain things,” he said.

Also read: CAF Champions League: Wiliete vs Mamelodi Sundowns, the starting line-ups

Cardoso remains convinced that his team will be able to make the necessary adjustments before the decisive match in Tshwane. “We will prepare for this match in the best way possible. We need to be more solid than we were. We need to show greater aggression and be more attacking. We must display the level of a team that wants to win in the Champions League,” he added.

Joshua SOSSOU

Editorfr, en, ar

As a sports fan, and particularly a football fan, I've been putting my writing talent to good use for a number of years now to promote African talent and the continent's football in general. On Foot Africa, enjoy reading each of my lines.