Mamelodi Sundowns coach Miguel Cardoso has described his team’s shock exit from the CAF Champions League as “a big punch in our faces” after the defending champions were eliminated by Angolan side Wiliete SC.

The Brazilians went out in the second preliminary round on the away-goals rule following a 1-1 draw at Loftus Versfeld on Friday night. The first leg in Angola had ended goalless. Tashreeq Matthews put Sundowns ahead in the 11th minute, but Wiliete striker Mabululu equalised early in the second half. Despite dominating the match with 18 shots to the visitors’ six, the home side could not find the second goal needed to progress.

It is the first time in 11 seasons that Sundowns have failed to reach the group stages of Africa’s top club competition. Cardoso did not shy away from the disappointment when asked whether he could still save the season or whether the early exit was a sackable offence.

“This season we played for two trophies and won two trophies, we are leading the league in South Africa – it’s a big knockout this one, it’s a big punch in our faces, yes,” he said. “But what will make us stronger is how we will react, there’s so many more things to win.”

The Portuguese coach accepted that the result was a collective failure. He said the team controlled the game but failed to convert their chances inside the box, leaving themselves open to a decisive away goal. He stressed that the blame sits with everyone – players and coaches alike – and that the side must now embrace the setback and move forward together.

Cardoso pointed out that the campaign is far from over. Sundowns already have a final to play at Loftus in the next one-and-a-half to two weeks, with other competitions still available. He noted that the club has reached two Champions League finals in recent seasons under his guidance and remains top of the domestic league.

“Football happened today, obviously it’s horrible, we all wanted to win this competition, but this season is very far from being a catastrophe,” Cardoso added. “We need to move forward.”

Orlando Pirates are now South Africa’s only representatives in the CAF Champions League group stages after their own comfortable progression. For Sundowns, the focus shifts quickly to domestic and other continental targets as they look to respond to one of the biggest shocks in recent African club football.

Source: https://x.com/iDiskiTimes/status/2113912354366697508