The tactics to confuse Orlando Pirates – who have widened the points gap – in the head of Mamelodi Sundowns coach, Miguel Cardoso, who has put this team from Chloorkop, in the quarterfinals of the Caf Champions League, have become popular.
Sundowns defeated MC Alger from Algeria, with two goals from Bryan Leon in the game at Loftus Versfeld Stadium, Pretoria, on Saturday, and secured a place in the quarterfinals by finishing in second place in Group C, which is dominated by Al Hilal from Sudan. For the eighth time in a row, this team from Chloorkop is advancing to this stage in the Champions League.
The victory of Sundowns has no doubt given Cardoso a breather, who is a thorn in the side of the team’s fans because of the denial of the results. Instead of being completely happy to enter the quaterfinals, he jumped into the Betway Premiership match they will play against Pirates at FNB Stadium, Nasrec, on Wednesday at 7.30 pm.
It is clear that the competition for the title will be intense between the top four teams, but Pirates and Sundowns are at the forefront.
Usually in the second half of the season, Sundowns are sitting comfortably at the top of the log but this time Pirates have put Cardoso’s men in an unfamiliar place. The Blacks have opened a gap of six points at the top even though they are ahead of the game.
Those who follow Mzansi football see this game as one of the important ones that may indicate the way the league title will be taken in this season which is entering its climax.
After the Caf match where Cardoso sent Rulani Mokwena out of the Champions League, the Portuguese coach made it clear that his mind is now focused on Pirates.
“It’s good to win because it was important for Sundowns not to be left behind when it comes to the quarterfinals of the Champions League, but because it has passed, it is now Pirates who are popular in my mind.
“As usual, we will be happy but not too much because in a few hours we will start preparations for the main league game against one of the best teams in Mzansi.
“There are many important games coming up in succession such as Nedbank and the Champions League, but this week we will not bother thinking about anything other than tactics to confuse the Pirates,” said Cardoso.
The win in Alger was a shock to this coach, who is inconsolable in some parts of Sundowns fans.
“I’m proud of my players, but what made me happy the most was seeing the die-hard fans of Sundowns put everything aside, support their team and the way it should be done, especially in the Champions League,” said Cardoso.