Miguel Cardoso not taking Wiliete lightly ahead of CAFCL clash

23.10.26 14:00 CAF Champions League

Mamelodi Sundowns FC

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Wiliete Benguela

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Mamelodi Sundowns head coach Miguel Cardoso is under no illusion about the quality possessed by Wiliete Benguela ahead of their CAF Champions League clash on Sunday.

The defending champions visit the Girabola log leaders in Angola for the first leg of the two-legged tie, before the return leg at Loftus Versfeld Stadium next week, with a spot in the group stages on the line.

While Sundowns received a bye in the first preliminary round, Wiliete dispatched Seychelles outfit Foresters 5-0 on aggregate to set up a meeting with the Brazilians.

Cardoso says keeping a clean sheet and scoring the all-important away goal is of paramount importance, as they look to head into the second meeting with the job half done.

“We understand the level of this match and the importance of this qualifying round, a two-legged tie. So, obviously when you play a two-legged tie you know the importance of the first match,” said the Downs mentor.

"Trying to not concede and score is absolutely important so that we can then in our home match in Pretoria finish the qualifying round.

The Portuguese tactician has dispelled any form of complacency in the Sundowns camp, stating that his charges will approach the match against the minnows with a lot of respect.

“Wiliete is a young team, eight years old, but it's a club that has stated itself amongst the best in the country. We understand very well the team we are playing against, we studied them very well,” Cardoso added.

"We face this qualifying round with a lot of respect but at the same time the respect is mutual, it means that we also respect ourselves. We will put the best we can on the pitch.

"We give nothing for granted, we understand how much professional we have to be. It's a team that has quality players, so we need to be at our best level.

Sundowns will be looking to get their title defense off to a winning start against a team boasting former Orlando Pirates winger Gilberto and Angola national team striker Mabululu, among others.

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.

Related teams and leagues

Mamelodi Sundowns FC

Wiliete Benguela

CAF Champions League