Mamelodi Sundowns coach Miguel Cardoso has come out openly on how they will handle Remo Stars FC in the second leg of the CAF Champions League Second Preliminary Round on Sunday.
The Brazilians will be at Loftus Versfeld Stadium to host their opponents from Nigeria while enjoying a commanding 5-1 lead from the away leg.
Tashreeq Matthews, Peter Shalulile, Arthur Sales, as well as new signings Miguel Reisinho and Tsiki Ntsabeleng, were on target as Masandawana went on a rampage at HKO Abiola International Stadium.
It was a statement victory by Sundowns as they seek to atone for the heartbreak of finishing as runners-up in this competition last season. Remo Stars would now need to win by a four-goal margin to advance to the group stage of the Champions League, something that appears impossible on paper.
WHAT ARE CARDOSO’S PLANS WHEN SUNDOWNS HOST REMO STARS?
Despite what looks like a comfortable lead, Cardoso says they will not engage a low gear at Loftus.
“Of course, we should not have conceded any [goal], but I think it is fair to take this result. Still, it’s important to understand that this is just the first match. Of course, there is a big difference on the scoreline,” said Cardoso.
“We respect football, and to respect football is to go into the second match with an approach as serious as possible because we also have a responsibility in that match and the qualifying round is not finished.
“So, for sure Mamelodi Sundowns will be very serious in the second match as we were today [Sunday].”
Masandawana’s experience in this competition was glaring against the Nigerian champions, who are not known much on the continent.
With a squad composed of key Bafana Bafana players, Cardoso is not reading into how his team is viewed.
“Obviously, our players are Mamelodi Sundowns players, and it’s not South Africa playing, it’s Mamelodi Sundowns, not Bafana Bafana. The players had a very good moment during the week,” added the former Esperance trainer.
“We all had a good moment, but this was another story to be written on this match. My impression is that we took it very seriously. We related to the need that we had to make an approach that makes it very clear in the study we had of Remo Stars.
“It’s not easy to play a team that has man-to-man marking all over the pitch. The players understood what we put in our work during the week. Then it was a matter of keeping our attitude because to score five goals against Nigerian champions is not easy.”
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