CAFCL triumph changes nothing - Miguel Cardoso

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Downs remains the same despite CAFCL glory, says Cardoso

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CAFCL triumph changes nothing - Miguel Cardoso

Photo: Muzi Ntombela/ BackPagePix

23.10.26 14:00 CAF Champions League

Mamelodi Sundowns FC

Wiliete Benguela

Mamelodi Sundowns head coach Miguel Cardoso is of the belief that winning the CAF Champions League in the previous campaign changes nothing regarding the club's stature.

The Brazilians beat AS FAR of Morocco to clinch their second continental title after a decade, having previously fallen short in the final and the semi-final in the past three seasons before reigning supreme.

Sundowns, as a result, secured direct qualification to the FIFA Intercontinental Cup, and pipped Asian champions Al Ahli SC of Saudi Arabia to the FIFA African-Asian-Pacific Cup last month.

With the Tshwane giants enjoying the perks of lifting the Champions League, the Portuguese mentor says the club has always been a heavyweight even before their second continental glory.

“I think it's absolutely the same as it was before. Sundowns was a big team before winning the Champions League for the second time. The previous season we played a final, the previous two seasons was semi-finals,” said Cardoso.

"I remember when I came to play against Mamelodi Sundowns I was looking at Sundowns as a big monster, big team. So, nothing changed, we just put a star that should change nothing.

Cardoso has urged his charges to remain grounded in their title defense as they understandably have a target on their back, and shed light on what makes a successful campaign in Africa.

“The question here is not how the others see us, the question is how we stay humble to understand how we have to fight in this competition and in all competitions,” added the Downs mentor.

"What's important is how you see yourself, how you want to show yourself, how you want to be, who you want to be, how much you are willing to give.

"This Champions League had a lot to do not just with quality expressed, but a lot to do with commitment, compromise, and fighting. It's the platform where then the quality appears on Champions League games from the fight.

Sundowns will host Girabola log leaders Wiliete Benguela in the return leg of their second preliminary round tie at Loftus Versfeld Stadium on Friday, having settled for a goalless draw on the road in the first meeting.

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Hlayisani Magoro

Editorfr, en

Football journalist from South Africa covering African football news, exclusive stories and key events while sharing insights with passionate fans of the game.