Mamelodi Sundowns coach Miguel Cardoso has praised his players’ character and resilience after they bounced back from their CAF Champions League disappointment with a victory in the Carling Knockout Cup.

The Brazilians returned to winning ways following Friday’s continental setback, with Cardoso acknowledging that his team had to overcome a difficult emotional period ahead of the knockout encounter.

Despite admitting that Sundowns were not at their best, the Portuguese coach was pleased with the response from his players, describing the victory as an important step to restore confidence and demonstrate their commitment to the club and its supporters.

“It was a very tough match, prepared in very difficult circumstances, and played with a lot of emotional stress. A very important victory, as you may imagine, in a competition where you have no other opportunities than the moment you play a game,” Cardoso said.

The Sundowns coach conceded that his side complicated its task by losing possession unnecessarily and failing to capitalise on opportunities to extend its lead.

“I think we started quite well, but we complicated a little bit our own life, exactly allowing the emotions to step on us by some losses of ball that we didn’t need to have, by some sloppiness on the ball circulation,” he explained.

Cardoso felt Sundowns needed to be more decisive in attack to put the contest beyond their opponents’ reach.

“I think we could have made more intensive and direct objective seek of the goal so that we could arrive on the second goal and finish the game,” he said.

He added that failing to score a second goal allowed the opposition to remain in the contest and increased the pressure on his players as they attempted to protect their advantage.

“When you don’t do it, you obviously allow the result of 1-0 to work in favour of the opponent and the fear or the respect to protect the result also comes to us.”

Nevertheless, Cardoso was satisfied with the character his players displayed in difficult circumstances.

“Today the boys had to give a proof of character, and they did,” he said.

TURNING DISAPPOINTMENT INTO MOTIVATION

Reflecting on the days following Friday’s CAF Champions League disappointment, Cardoso explained that the immediate priority was to help the squad recover emotionally and redirect its energy towards the challenges ahead.

He argued that Sundowns had performed better in the continental fixture despite failing to achieve the desired result, highlighting the fine margins that can determine the outcome of football matches.

“The match on Friday, if you go back, you see the match. We made a very beautiful first half, very beautiful first half. And then in the second half, we completely dominated the match from the beginning up until the end,” Cardoso said.

He believes missed opportunities proved costly, with Sundowns unable to recover after conceding from an error.

“Unfortunately, out of a mistake of ours, we suffered one goal from which we could not come back. Exactly because we missed the opportunities to close the match, and it was one after the other, after the other.”

Cardoso said the team immediately began working on its response, holding discussions with the players before giving them time to rest and regroup.

“As soon as we stepped inside the doors of Chloorkop, it was fuelling, fuelling, fuelling energy, mindset, turnover, let’s look forward,” he said.

“From bad moments, we need to turn them around and then create opportunities.”

The coach acknowledged the disappointment felt throughout the club following the continental setback, particularly given Sundowns’ recent history of reaching the latter stages of African competition.

However, he insisted that dwelling on the result would not help the team achieve its remaining objectives.

“It’s too late to cry on spilled milk,” Cardoso said, referring to the Portuguese expression used to describe the futility of dwelling on what has already happened.

“And it doesn’t mean that we don’t recognise the moment or what happened. But it’s important that we can focus more on what we can do.”

CHAIRMAN AND SUPPORTERS RALLY BEHIND THE TEAM

Cardoso also credited the club’s chairman for providing encouragement and motivation to the players during a difficult period.

He said the chairman addressed the squad with an approach that helped shift the focus towards the team’s immediate responsibilities.

“The chairman was very supportive. He spoke with the team in the way he has to speak, in the way that he always finds to speak with the right approach, in my way of thinking, and with the right motivation looking forward to what we have ahead,” he said.

The coach added that the victory was important not only for the result but also for reassuring supporters that the team remained determined to fight for the badge.

“Today, that’s why I spoke about proof of character on winning this match, so that we show people that we are alive as much as we didn’t play the way we wanted,” Cardoso said.

“But we needed to tell our fans that we will fight for this badge with all the energy that we have.”

Sundowns now face a demanding run of fixtures, with another Carling Knockout assignment, a Betway Premiership match and the CAF Super Cup final on the horizon before the FIFA international break.

Cardoso admitted that the team had been affected by the absence of several important players, which has disrupted combinations and made it more difficult to find consistency.

“The team is obviously struggling a little bit with so many absences, as you may imagine. You look at the team, and you understand that there are many, many, many important players that are not on the pitch. That breaks the connections a little bit, obviously,” he said.

Despite those challenges, he vowed that the technical team would continue searching for solutions to improve performance and restore confidence.

“We will work hard to find the right solutions and find again the right pace that obviously will make us happy and will bring smiles to our fans,” he added.

Cardoso reserved some of his strongest words for the supporters, praising their loyalty and encouragement following the club’s continental disappointment.

“I want to also leave a strong message to them because I think they were absolutely amazing. Me, myself, I just received love, respect, consideration, energy. I was so much pushed forward, and I felt that on my players also,” he said.

The coach described the supporters’ response as an example of the unity that defines the club, adding that their backing would remain crucial as Sundowns pursue the trophies available this season.

“It’s with them that we’re gonna go forward,” he said.

Cardoso also appealed to supporters to attend the next Carling Knockout fixture at the Royal Bafokeng Sports Palace, where Sundowns will play despite being the designated home side.

“I’m not bluffing. It was so important to feel so much energy pushing us forward. And that shows the character of our fans,” he said.

For Sundowns, the victory provides an opportunity to rebuild momentum after a painful continental setback. Cardoso will now be looking for greater composure in possession, improved finishing and consistent performances as the Brazilians turn their attention to the domestic and remaining continental challenges.

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