Mamelodi Sundowns coach Miguel Cardoso is radiating confidence as his team prepares for a high-stakes CAF Champions League semi-final clash against the formidable Al Ahly.
Despite acknowledging Al Ahly’s impressive track record in the competition, including their numerous titles in recent years and his own painful experience of losing last year’s final against them while managing Esperance, Cardoso firmly believes that overcoming the Egyptian giants is within reach for the Brazilians.
Read: Three Key Takeaways From Sundowns’ Journey to the TotalEnergies CAF Champions League Semifinals
Sundowns secured their semi-final berth with a hard-fought 1-0 aggregate victory over Cardoso’s former club, Tunisian powerhouse Esperance, a team Al Ahly defeated in the previous year’s final.
Meanwhile, Al Ahly booked their spot by overcoming Al Hilal with a 2-0 aggregate score. The first leg of this highly anticipated semi-final is scheduled for Friday, April 18th.
Speaking after his team’s quarter-final triumph, Cardoso emphasized the need for Mamelodi Sundowns to deliver two exceptional performances against Al Ahly. He highlighted the crucial role of meticulous attention to detail and the necessity for the team to be both mentally and physically strong in their preparation.
The Sundowns boss said after the game: “We know that Al Ahly has won many Champions League trophies in the last seven or eight years.
“Last year, unfortunately, I lost a final against them. But I think it is possible to beat them.”
Cardoso added: “We need to play two very complete and strong games, focusing on the details for sure. We need to be strong and prepare ourselves in the best way.
While the looming Champions League showdown against Al Ahly is undoubtedly a significant focus, Cardoso is keen to maintain a step-by-step approach. He stressed the immediate priority is their upcoming Nedbank Cup fixture.
“The game against Al Ahly is not that far away, but we still have a Nedbank Cup game to play, and that should be our focus now. We will then think about the Al Ahly game,” he remarked.
Mamelodi Sundowns are involved in Nedbank Cup action this weekend, against Kaizer Chiefs. Kick off at Loftus Versveld is set for 18h00 on Sunday, 13 April 2025.