Sundowns coach Cardoso refuses to dwell on setback: 'Everything is still open'

Mamelodi Sundowns head coach Miguel Cardoso insists his side remains fully capable of lifting the TotalEnergies CAF Champions League title as they prepare for next week’s decisive second leg against Egypt’s Pyramids FC.

Speaking after his team’s 1-1 draw in the first leg at Loftus Versfeld Stadium in Pretoria, Cardoso remained composed despite conceding a dramatic 95th-minute equaliser that handed the Egyptians a critical advantage.

“We need mental strength because everything is still open. Pyramids knows that too,” Cardoso said at the post-match press conference. 

“The better team will win the return leg, and we will play the same way we play every match. We must show the greatest desire.”

Lucas Ribeiro had given Sundowns the lead midway through the second half with a powerful left-footed finish, and the South African champions appeared poised to take a slender advantage to Cairo.

But Walid El Karti’s stoppage-time header ensured the visitors left with a valuable away goal, tilting momentum slightly in Pyramids’ favour.

Yet Cardoso refused to dwell on the late blow, instead highlighting the fine margins of knockout football.

“Your assessment of us changed in the last 10 seconds. This is the beauty and ugliness of football at the same time,” he said.

“If that goal hadn’t been scored, everyone would have said the coach was brilliant and made the right decisions.”

Sundowns, who are chasing their second Champions League crown after their 2016 triumph, must now score in Cairo to stand a chance of claiming Africa’s most prestigious club title.

A draw of more than one goal would also be enough.

“We must score at least one goal, and even if Pyramids scores, we will continue to search for a draw,” Cardoso added. “Heroes emerge in difficult times—it’s easy to become a hero in good times.”

The decisive second leg will take place on Saturday, 1 June at the Air Defense Stadium in Cairo.

With the new CAF Champions League trophy up for grabs and global attention on African club football, Cardoso and his Sundowns side know what is at stake.

And while the Pretoria side has work to do, their coach is adamant they are not done yet.