Mamelodi Sundowns delivered a commanding display at Loftus Versfeld on Friday evening, brushing aside Stade Malien 3-0 in the first leg of their quarterfinal clash, a result that has placed the Brazilians in a powerful position ahead of the return encounter in West Africa.
While such a scoreline might normally allow a team to breathe a little easier heading into the second leg, Cardoso has quickly reminded his squad that continental football rarely rewards complacency.
MAMELODI SUNDOWNS WARNED AGAINST COMPLACENCY
The Portguese mentor stressed that African football has produced countless dramatic turnarounds over the years, particularly when the second leg takes place away from home under unfamiliar and often difficult conditions.
“What is important to understand is that 3-0 is just a result,” he said after the match.
“Football has a lot of histories of comebacks on results like this one. If we don’t go in Bamako with a serious approach and with a very strong team and the right mindset, we can have a lot of bad days in the mouth because the game there is another dimension.
“Obviously it will be a dry pitch that makes the game slower in terms of capacity to take the ball out of the contacts that this team provokes. You saw in the first half three very ruthless falls. One on Tashreeq [Matthews], one on Jaden [Adams], one on Tebza [Teboh Mokoena].
“And also the temperature that we’re going to have there is very high, so the rhythm will be slower. Obviously, it will be difficult to play the game we want to play.”
SHIFTING ATTENTION TO BETWAY PREMIERSHIP
Before turning their full attention to the trip to Bamako, Sundowns must first handle their domestic responsibilities, with a Betway Premiership fixture against Marumo Gallants arriving in midweek and demanding the same level of focus and discipline.
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Cardoso emphasised that the squad’s experience and quality would be crucial if they are to navigate both challenges successfully.
“But obviously the experience that we have and the players that we have, if they have the right mindset, we can make a good game there and fight for a result. That’s the obligation we have.”
Sundowns will host Gallants in Tshwane on Tuesday evening before departing for Mali on a chartered flight the following day, where the second leg of the Champions League quarterfinal awaits.
Although the aggregate scoreline suggests the tie is leaning heavily in Sundowns’ favour, Cardoso’s message to his players has been simple: the work is far from over.
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