Mamelodi Sundowns coach Miguel Cardoso has emphasised the importance of starting the CAF Champions League group stage on a winning note after his side defeated Congolese outfit St Eloi Lupopo.
Despite being pegged back in the first half at Loftus Stadium on Saturday, Sundowns pulled away in the second stanza to secure a 3-1 victory and move to the top of Group C.
It marks a much-improved start compared to last season, when Sundowns drew their opening two group-stage matches against AS Maniema and FAR Rabat, a slow beginning that piled pressure on then-coach Manqoba Mngqithi.
Mngqithi was eventually dismissed and replaced by Cardoso, who steadied the ship and led the Brazilians all the way to the final.
“I think it is obviously very important to start the group stages with a victory,” said Cardoso.
“You’ll remember that last year, when I arrived after two matches, we had one point [actually two points]. It’s tough to drop points against teams you are expected to beat, especially at home. Those dropped points can hurt you during the competition – and that’s exactly what happened last year.
“I expect a very tough group. The away matches will be very challenging. We saw yesterday’s match – Al Hilal beating MC Alger – and it shows that teams have quality. But I believe Mamelodi Sundowns can deal with those challenges with the right mentality.
“So we take these points with pleasure, but we are already preparing for the next opponent because we want to finish the Champions League in the best possible way this season.”
Their next match against MC Alger will reunite Sundowns with former coach Rulani Mokwena, who served as assistant when the club won the Champions League in 2016 under Pitso Mosimane.
Mokwena, who also guided Sundowns to two league titles and the African Football League crown during his tenure as head coach, was dismissed at the end of the 2023/24 season.
He led Sundowns to two Champions League semi-finals, including one where his side lost to Cardoso’s Esperance in his final season.
Asked about facing Mokwena, whose side is at the bottom after they lost to Al Hilal, Cardoso opted for a measured response.
“The next match is against MC Alger, not against Rulani Mokwena. We will analyse the team and prepare our strategy. We’ll do our best, and hopefully our best will be good enough to get the three points,” he said.
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