Miguel Cardoso Reveals Mamelodi Sundowns’ Special Travel Arrangements for CAF Champions League Clash Against Wiliete FC

Mamelodi Sundowns will take on the Angolan side in the first leg of the CAF Champions League second preliminary round on Sunday, with both teams competing for a place in the group stage.

Miguel Cardoso, Mamelodi Sundowns head coach during the 2026 Carling Black Label Knockout Cup Launch at Langham’s Lifestyle Estate in Johannesburg on 14 October 2026 ©Phakamisa Lensman/Backpagepix

Sundowns received a bye in the opening preliminary round, while Wiliete advanced after defeating Seychelles side Foresters FC 5-0 on aggregate.

A positive result away from home will be crucial for Downs before hosting their opponents in the return leg on October 23.

“I’m very thankful to my club that they understood that we needed to have a chartered plane to travel to Angola. It’s clear to explain because of the flights in Angola,” he told the media.

“We made our people travel there to see several matches and some of their flights were delayed. We couldn’t risk not travelling on getting a chartered plane because it’s tricky to fly in Angola.”

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Cardoso added that another positive of using a chartered plan is being to control their travelling arrangements

“And we needed to control that. The club made that effort to get us a chartered plane, and it allows us to come back immediately after the match to South Africa,” he said.

Despite the relatively short flight from South Africa to Angola, Cardoso believes having control over the team’s travel arrangements is important as they pursue continental success.

Sundowns head into the encounter in good form after recording a commanding 4-1 victory over Richards Bay in the Betway Premiership at Princess Magogo Stadium on Tuesday.