South African powerhouse Mamelodi Sundowns marched into the CAF Champions League group stages yet again after seeing off Remo Stars, achieving their 11th consecutive qualification on the continent.
Speaking to the media after the game, coach Miguel Cardoso was left dissatisfied with the aggregate 7-1 victory.
CAF CHAMPIONS LEAGUE: MAMELODI SUNDOWNS BRUSH PAST REMO STARS
Kabo Yellow had already done most of the damage in Abeokuta last weekend, hammering the Nigerian Professional Football League champions 5-1 in the first leg, before today’s 2-0 win at home.
Coach Cardoso stressed that despite the comfortable lead, the team treated the fixture with full seriousness. “We took this challenge very seriously and focused on getting the win against Remo Stars,” he told journalists. “You just have to look at the line-up we picked.
“When the aggregate is 7-1, it’s normal that intensity drops a bit, add in the heat, and of course, I wanted us to score even more. We needed more numbers in the box, especially in the last 20 minutes.
“Some players started managing the game, balancing fatigue and avoiding injuries,” Cardoso added.
ORLANDO PIRATES COMING TO TOWN
Next up is a potential classic. Sundowns will host the Betway Premiership’s fiercest challengers, Orlando Pirates, in Tshwane on Saturday, 1 November at 15:00.
In the local game, Masandawana have had a solid start, though not without a few bumps. They top the Betway Premiership table after 10 games, but three draws and a single loss fail to show the consistency fans know.
Cup competitions have been less kind. Sundowns exited the Carling Knockout in the first round to Marumo Gallants and fell to Orlando Pirates in the MTN8 semifinals.
Still, when it comes to firepower, Sundowns are a different beast with 17 goals scored in just 10 league matches and only five conceded.