- Mamelodi Sundowns have been eliminated from the CAF Champions League for the first time in 11 seasons
- Coach Miguel Cardoso faced questions about his job security after the shock second preliminary round exit
- Sundowns dominated with 18 shots but could not find a winner against Angolan side Wiliete SC at Loftus
Mamelodi Sundowns coach Miguel Cardoso described his side's shock CAF Champions League elimination as "a big punch in our faces" but insisted the season remains far from a disaster, deflecting questions about whether the result could cost him his job.
Sundowns crashed out of the competition at the second preliminary round on Friday night, drawing 1-1 with Angolan side Wiliete SC at Loftus Versfeld. The result, combined with a goalless first leg played in Angola, saw Sundowns exit on away goals — ending an 11-year run of consecutive group stage appearances.
Tashreeq Matthews gave the reigning African champions the lead in the 11th minute, but Cristóvão "Mabululu" Paciência equalised three minutes into the second half. Despite registering 18 shots to Wiliete's six, Sundowns could not force the decisive second goal.
When pressed on his future at the club, Cardoso chose not to address the question head-on, pointing instead to his track record. "This club is a club that has proposed itself for many years to win the Champions League… in the last four years, two semi-finals, two finals in the last two years with me at the head of the team, one star on the shirt," he said.
He acknowledged the gravity of the result while defending the broader context of Sundowns' season.
"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. But what will make us stronger is how we will react; there are so many more things to win."
Cardoso accepted collective responsibility, making clear the failure belonged to the entire organisation. "When we win, everyone wins; when we lose, everyone loses. There are many reflections, many analyses that we will have to do together," he said.
He admitted Sundowns should have wrapped up the tie before half-time and told his players as much during the interval. "We were not strong enough, and in a game, football penalises when you are not strong enough, because you had your moments to finish the game. I told the boys at half-time you should have finished the game."
Despite the disappointment, Cardoso refused to criticise his players, coaching staff or the club's backing, saying there were "no complaints" in any direction.
With a domestic cup final on the horizon, the Portuguese coach urged supporters to rally behind the side. "What is going to speak for Sundowns is the greatness that will come after this defeat… It's proof of character that we have to give." He called for unity from within the club's Chloorkop base and appealed directly to fans to fill the stadium and maintain their energy ahead of the upcoming final.
Source: Briefly News