A brutal self-verdict! Cardoso breaks silence after Sundowns' Champions League shock
Miguel Cardoso did not look for excuses after one of the most painful nights of Mamelodi Sundowns' continental campaign.
Details: Mamelodi Sundowns were eliminated by Wiliete SC in the second preliminary round of the CAF Champions League. After a 0-0 draw in Angola, the defending champions were held to a 1-1 draw in Pretoria, allowing the Angolan side to advance on away goals. Speaking to SABC Sport after the final whistle, Cardoso admitted his team had only themselves to blame.
“It’s obviously difficult to express anything when you don’t qualify for the group stages and you cannot even proceed in the competition and defend the title. But we just can look at ourselves. I think besides one shot from the first half there is nothing from Wiliete in this match.
The goal they score is a pass from our own striker. We had so many chances, we can only complain on us, it’s a very tough night, very difficult moment. We can only complain on us on what we could have done, the game was so simple to close it but we let the energy not go in the right direction and after we suffered the goal still 40 minutes to play and we let emotions take control of us and not play in the most clever way.
It’s a very tough result, disaster is another thing in life. The only way is to move forward. There is competitions to win, very quickly we have to turn over. Obviously it’s a tough one and fortunately a lot of losses we had, but nothing to complain. Just look forward and win,” Cardoso said.
It’s worth noting that this is the first time since 2015 that Mamelodi Sundowns have failed to reach the CAF Champions League group stage. The South African club entered this season's competition as the defending champions.
Reminder: Wiliete SC make history in CAF Champions League
Steven Perez
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