Miguel Cardoso laments missed chances as Mamelodi Sundowns’ CAF campaign hits turbulence

Mamelodi Sundowns coach Miguel Cardoso was left reflecting on fine margins after his side slipped to a 2-1 defeat against Al Hilal in Kigali, a result that has complicated their CAF Champions League campaign and exposed continental vulnerabilities.

“These two games with the Al Hilal, the story is very simple, the goals we didn’t score ended up penalising us because you cannot allow to be led both here and Pretoria because that played into the hands of Al Hilal because that’s how they like to play, on the front foot because of their aggression,” Cardoso said.

It was an honest summary of a tie that swung on moments rather than overall control. Sundowns enjoyed long spells on the ball across both matches but were repeatedly punished for allowing Al Hilal to dictate the terms once they fell behind. The Sudanese giants thrived on transitions, physical duels and early momentum, all areas that punished Sundowns’ lack of cutting edge.

The Brazilians now find themselves second in the group, having collected just one point from a possible six against Al Hilal. That return has shifted the pressure squarely onto the remaining fixtures, with qualification no longer guaranteed and little room for further slip-ups.

Cardoso, however, was keen to frame the current challenge as one the club has navigated before, urging calm and perspective as the group phase enters a decisive stretch.

“I remember last year we were in the same situation after four matches and we had a difficult fixture after in Maniema, Congo but this time it’s Lupopo in Congo and so we have to look ahead because that’s what big teams do,” he said.

That looming trip to DR Congo now carries added weight, but before Sundowns can turn their attention fully to continental matters, domestic priorities must be addressed.

A Nedbank Cup assignment against Gomora United awaits on Wednesday, further stretching a squad that has been tested by a demanding schedule.

“Before that match, we have a cup match on Wednesday, we unfortunately had a game three days ago and it showed sometimes against Al Hilal because we were tired,” Cardoso admitted. Fatigue was evident, particularly in the second half in Kigali, where Sundowns struggled to match Al Hilal’s intensity and directness.

Squad rotation and player management are likely to dominate discussions in the coming days as Cardoso weighs the need for freshness against the importance of rhythm and cohesion.

“But now it’s time to go back home and see who’s in the best condition to play because that cup competition is also very important to us,” he added.

For Sundowns, the coming week represents a defining juncture. The Nedbank Cup offers a chance to reset emotionally, while the trip to Congo will test their resilience, maturity and continental credentials. As Cardoso hinted, big teams are judged not by setbacks, but by how decisively they respond when the pressure tightens.