CAF Super Cup: Miguel Cardoso does not hide his disappointment

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After Sundowns’ defeat to USM Alger, the Portuguese coach reflects on his team’s mistakes

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CAF Super Cup: Miguel Cardoso does not hide his disappointment

08.11.26 FT CAF Super Cup

Mamelodi Sundowns FC

USM Alger

Miguel Cardoso made no secret of his disappointment after Mamelodi Sundowns’ defeat to USM Alger. The Portuguese coach believes his team paid dearly for its mistakes and lack of efficiency, while also acknowledging that the playing conditions made the match more difficult.

“We made mistakes that were punished”

For Cardoso, the difference between the two teams was mainly in their ability to take their chances. Sundowns managed to create opportunities but failed to convert them, while USM Alger was more clinical:

We made mistakes that were punished with goals. USMA did not have many chances, but the difference lies in their ability to make the most of what they created, unlike us.

The Portuguese coach also spoke about the weather conditions, which were particularly difficult in the second half. “With the rain, it was not easy to play. The conditions were disastrous, but that is no excuse,” he admitted. Cardoso also regrets that his team could not find the spark needed to get back into the match after conceding two goals on the counterattack.

“It is not a disaster or a catastrophe”

This defeat comes on the heels of Sundowns’ elimination by Wiliete SC, which kept them out of the Champions League group stage for the first time in more than ten years. It is a difficult situation for a club that began the season as African champions. Despite the questions raised by these two continental setbacks, Cardoso refuses to become discouraged:

There is always something to learn from negative experiences. We wanted to win, but there is only one way to respond: get back to work.

The coach believes that great teams are also distinguished by their ability to overcome difficult periods:

Results like this bring you back down to earth. But there is only one way to respond. We have challenges to tackle in the short term. That is how great teams get through it. It is neither a disaster nor a catastrophe.

Sundowns now have a break of around two and a half weeks due to the international break. Cardoso intends to use this period to prepare his team’s response, as they will now have to focus their efforts on domestic competitions after seeing their continental ambitions for this season come to an end.

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