Home Sport Mamelodi Sundowns could have an easy trip to CAF quarter-finals

Mamelodi Sundowns could have an easy trip to CAF quarter-finals

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There is every reason to expect the two sides not to overexert themselves lest they get punished on the counter and open the backdoor for Raja Casablanca.

Miguel Cardoso, coach of Mamelodi Sundowns. Picture: Muzi Ntombela, BackpagePix

Matshelane Mamabolo

MAMELODI Sundowns’ path to the CAF Champions League quarter-finals could not be more simple, the Brazilians needing just a point from their final Group B match against an AS FAR Rabat outfit that has already qualified.

The Moroccans will come to Loftus Versfeld this coming weekend essentially looking to secure the top spot that they can achieve via a draw.

And with that outcome also suiting Sundowns, there is every reason to expect the two sides not to overexert themselves lest they get punished on the counter and open the backdoor for Raja Casablanca.

Leaders since Matchday one of the round-robin phase, AS FAR drew 1-1 with Raja late Saturday night to remain top on nine points after Sundowns had earlier in the day caught up with them on eight following an injury time victory at SC Maniema Union in Kinshasa.

Sundowns had seemed headed for a deflating loss after Japhta Kitambala gave Maniema a late first half lead before Miguel Cardoso introduced Peter Shalulile who scored with his first touch of the ball – a sweetly directed header on 81 minutes.

Then with just one of the six minutes added on for stoppages remaining, the Namibian superstar contrived to force an own goal out of Exaucia Moanda who – in attempting to steal possession from Shalulile – stabbed the ball past his own goalkeeper Brudel Efonge instead.

Cardoso understandably met the victory with delight, the Portuguese having earlier appeared doomed for his second successive Champions League defeat following that 1-0 loss at Raja the week before.

He admitted that Maniema is a tough opponent.

“It was very difficult to score here. Maniema is a difficult team – you can have possession against them but they find a way to press you because they play straight, direct football and sometimes it is difficult to cope against that. But we knew we had to impose our style and we did that.”

Cardoso said he remained hopeful even after their hosts took the lead shortly before half-time.

“I always believed that it was possible (for Sundowns to score). I told them at half time and said ‘play for one goal, you don’t need to go for two’. I knew that the one (goal) will make us believe for the second. (Also) The result of a draw would be something that would lead us to the next game (with the chance to still qualify for the quarter-finals).

“I knew one goal would increase our level and give us extra energy and it could demoralize the opposition. We risked a lot and I remember that save which Ronwen (Williams) made, but I also believe we were rewarded in the right way based on what we did on the field.”

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