‘Fear is not wrong’: Cardoso on Sundowns’ potential Champions League exit
Mamelodi Sundowns head coach Miguel Cardoso has commented on the potential exit of his side from the CAF Champions League.
The Brazilians face off against AS FAR Rabat in the concluding group stage match of the competition on Sunday, 19 January at Loftus Versfeld Stadium.
In the event of Raja Casablanca defeating AS Maniema in the same group match, Sundowns would require either a draw or a victory to ensure their progression to the quarterfinals. However, should Raja fail to secure a win, any outcome in Pretoria would guarantee Sundowns’ advancement.
Rabat, who lead Group B with nine points after five matches, have already secured their place in the quarterfinals.
Meanwhile, Masandawana have accumulated eight points from the same number of matches while Raja have five with Maniema having collected only three.
At the pre-match press conference in Chloorkop on Saturday, Cardoso admitted that the fear of being eliminated from the Champions League is natural as they prepare to face the Moroccan club.
However, he emphasised that he has not given significant consideration to the possibility of an unfavorable result. He believes they have what it takes to fight for and achieve qualification.
MIGUEL CARDOSO ON THE POSSIBILITY OF SUNDOWNS EXIT FROM CHAMPIONS LEAGUE
“Basically it’s the first time I think about that, that now you highlighted it. I don’t even remember there can be a negative result,” said Cardoso.
“Look, if you have fear in football, if you have fear in life, it’s normal you accept fear. Everybody when they face challenges it’s natural that you have fear. But as much as you deal with the fear, the best [you] will be prepared for it.
“Fear is not wrong, because fear makes you aware. Fear makes you more conscious about what you have to do. I always tell the players, if you knew you could not lose tomorrow, what would you do? That’s how you have to play.
“If you knew what you would do, if you were sure you could not lose, how you would play? So just go there and play, because that’s the way you have to do it.”
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