Mamelodi Sundowns head coach Miguel Cardoso has reacted with surprise how the match panned out easier than their anticipation, simultaneously applauding their tactical approach.
Masandawana progressed to the semifinals of the CAF Champions League for the second season running after holding out to a 0-0 draw against Esperance Sportive de Tunis at the Stade Olympique de Radès on Tuesday night after a 1-0 win in the first leg in Tshwane.
The Portuguese mentor did not only progress to his back-to-back last four berth but overcame his former side as he also praised everyone involved in achieving their goal of progression.
“It was a not easy match, but I didn’t expect it also to be easier when you at the level game you had to play against which team we were playing,” Cardoso told the media.
“You should remember that indeed this team last year played the final of the Champions League, but we knew that we had capacity and quality if we played in the right way to beat them.
“So, the challenge that we putting on our players was exactly that. How we could be stronger as a team in order to beat Esperance.
“And I think that tactically we approached the game in the right way so that we could at the same time that we could control their offensive capacity, we could shoot always look at the possibility of scoring a goal.
“It didn’t happen. We didn’t score but we strong enough not to suffer. We were strong enough always to play the game according to what the game was asking from us.
“Myself, I tried to help as much as possible. There was a moment were I obviously understood it was important to reinforce the back and close the game.
“And the players were so professional and so capable to do it that I can only praise them.
“And I would like to dedicate this victory to all the Mamelodi Sundowns fans that are over there in South Africa that make us happy every day.
“To the family, Motsepe, because they believed on us. They believed a lot on the players, on the staff, and to everybody in the club.
“So, congratulations and we need to prepare ourselves for the future.”
Sundowns meeting defending champions Al Ahly in the semis who they have a very good record against.
