Mamelodi Sundowns head coach Miguel Cardoso says nobody would have questioned his decision on captain Themba Zwane had they not conceded a last-minute goal against Pyramids.
Sundowns looked to be closing in on a crucial 1-0 win in their first leg CAF Champions League final against Pyramids but conceded with virtually the last kick of the game with Morocco international midfielder Walid El-Karti scoring in the 94th minute.
It created a sombre atmosphere at full-time at Loftus Versfeld, a far cry from what it sounded like 30 seconds prior with Sundowns on the brink of a historic victory in their quest for their second star, in their first final since winning the trophy nine years ago.
Zwane was part of that squad, one of only two players in the current set-up alongside Denis Onyango, boasting with plenty of experience and know-how of the competition.
“I have to manage Themba like all other players, everybody wanted to be part of this match for sure, the decisions we did was in order to keep the balance of the team, we thought it was the best ones,” he said when asked about managing Zwane’s opportunities.
“It’s very beautiful football, or very ugly at the same time because one, or ten seconds in the last minute of the game changed the way you all think about us and the decisions that we did.
“If we did not concede that goal everyone would have said the coach was fantastic and he didn’t touch the team, he kept it balance, he made the best choices, we are judged according to the results we get and it was one play, one dangerous action in the box.
“We conceded and it changed the opinions of everyone, it’s clear what it is, we just have to hang on it, keep the boys motivated, push for the second leg and that’s it.”
Sundowns will now return to Cairo for the second leg at 30 June Stadium on Sunday, 1 June with kickoff at 19h00.
