Miguel Cardoso Blames Mamelodi Sundowns Players After CAF Champions League Exit

Mamelodi Sundowns head coach Miguel Cardoso expressed deep frustration following his team’s unexpected elimination from the CAF Champions League, placing the responsibility squarely on his players after a surprising defeat to Angolan club Wiliete SC. The loss brought an early end to Sundowns’ continental campaign during the second preliminary round, marking the first time since 2015 that the South African powerhouse failed to qualify for the group stages of the tournament.

Entering the competition as reigning domestic champions with strong hopes of challenging for continental honors, Sundowns fell well short of expectations. Speaking in a post-match interview with SABC Sport,Cardoso acknowledged how difficult it was to accept being knocked out so early in the tournament. He argued that the team had only themselves to blame for the defeat, pointing out that their opponents generated almost no serious attacking threats throughout the entire ninety minutes.

According to Cardoso, the Angolan side created very few dangerous moments, with their decisive goal coming directly off a misplaced pass from a Sundowns forward. He highlighted that his players generated numerous scoring opportunities throughout the match but repeatedly failed to capitalize in front of the goal. The Portuguese manager described the result as a painful reality check, stating that errors within their own ranks had ultimately decided the outcome.

The early exit represents a rare setback for a club that has dominated South African football and established itself as a regular contender on the African continent in recent years. The loss eliminates Sundowns from defending their continental title, shifting immense pressure onto the technical staff and squad to recover quickly.

Cardoso stressed the urgency of putting the disappointment behind them and turning full attention toward their remaining domestic competitions. Over the coming weeks, the technical team will focus on correcting defensive lapses, improving finishing in front of goal, and rebuilding confidence within the locker room. As the season progresses, supporters and club executives will be watching closely to see if the squad can deliver a strong domestic response to restore faith after an early continental exit.

https://briefly.co.za/sports/football/256964-miguel-cardoso-identifies-reason-mamelodi-sundowns-caf-champions-league-crash-out/

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