Cardoso Remains Cautious After Sundowns' Dominant Victory Over Remo Stars

Mamelodi Sundowns coach Miguel Cardoso insists his team is not getting ahead of themselves despite holding a commanding 5–1 advantage over Remo Stars after the first leg of their CAF Champions League second preliminary round clash on Sunday.

Sundowns, last season’s finalists, were dominant throughout the match at the MKO Abiola Sports Complex in Nigeria, putting one foot firmly in the group stages of the competition.

Katlego Ntsabeleng, currently on loan from FC Dallas and still adapting to the squad, marked his first goal for Sundowns in the 85th minute, calmly finishing after a clever run onto a through pass.

Tashreeq Matthews opened the scoring in the 12th minute with a clinical left-footed strike, before PSL all-time top scorer Peter Shalulile doubled the lead just before halftime, slotting home from close range.

Miguel Reisinho added the third in the 61st minute after getting on the end of a mazy run from Khuliso Mudau, while substitute Arthur Sales made it 4–0 in the 77th minute, finishing off a pass from Nuno Santos.

The hosts managed a consolation goal through Samson Olasupo, who beat Ronwen Williams at the near post, but Ntsabeleng’s late strike restored Sundowns’ four-goal cushion.

“Obviously, our players are Mamelodi Sundowns players,” Cardoso said. “It’s not South Africa playing; it’s not Bafana Bafana — it’s Mamelodi Sundowns. This was another story to be written, and my impression is that we took it very seriously.

“We understood the need to approach this game tactically with clarity, especially considering Remo Stars’ man-marking system across the pitch. The players applied what we worked on during the week and kept their attitude throughout.

“Of course, we should not have conceded, but I think the result is fair. Still, it’s important to remember that this is just the first match,” Cardoso cautioned.

Sundowns’ dominant performance has left them with one foot in the group stages, and it would take a near-miracle for them to lose the tie in the return leg in Pretoria next weekend.

However, Cardoso emphasized that his team will approach the second leg with the same level of professionalism and intensity.

“Of course, the scoreline gives us an advantage, but we respect football,” he said. “To respect football means we must approach the second match as seriously as possible. The qualifying round is not over, and Mamelodi Sundowns will be professional and focused in the return leg.”