Mamelodi Sundowns coach Miguel Cardoso has made no attempt to hide his disappointment after his side suffered a shocking exit from the CAF Champions League, describing the result as a major failure for the defending champions.

The Brazilians saw their continental title defence come to an unexpected end against Angolan outfit Wiliete, with the elimination on home soil delivering a painful setback for a club accustomed to competing among Africa's football elite.

Speaking after the disappointing outcome, Cardoso openly acknowledged the magnitude of the setback, admitting that the result represented a significant blow to the team and its ambitions.

“It's a failure. It's a big knockout this one, a big punch in our faces,” Cardoso said.

The Portuguese tactician's frank assessment reflected the frustration surrounding Sundowns' elimination, particularly given the expectations that accompanied their campaign as defending champions.

For a club that has consistently targeted continental success, an early departure from the competition represents a considerable disappointment. Sundowns entered the tournament with ambitions of defending their crown and further establishing their dominance in African football.

However, Wiliete proved capable of delivering the decisive blow, bringing the South African giants' hopes of retaining the prestigious trophy to an abrupt end.

The result is likely to trigger difficult questions about Sundowns' performance, preparation and ability to meet the demands of a competition where even established favourites can be punished for failing to deliver.

Cardoso and his technical team will now face the challenge of helping the players recover from the disappointment while assessing what went wrong during their continental campaign.

Although Sundowns remain one of the most prominent teams in South African football, their Champions League exit serves as a reminder that reputation and past achievements offer no guarantees of success on the continental stage.

For the players, supporters and technical team, the immediate priority will be to respond to the setback and redirect their focus towards the challenges that remain this season.

Nevertheless, Cardoso's words underline the seriousness of the disappointment. The coach has openly acknowledged that Sundowns failed to meet the expectations associated with defending their African crown.

The defeat against Wiliete will undoubtedly rank among the most painful moments of their campaign, leaving the Brazilians to confront the consequences of a Champions League defence that ended far earlier than anticipated.

Source; Link