Cardozo: 'Discipline and Set Pieces Are Our Way Against the Royal Army'

Miguel Cardoso, the head coach of Mamelodi Sundowns, confirmed that his team is entering the second leg of the CAF Champions League final against AS FAR with a clear mindset and full focus, fully aware of the magnitude of the challenge and the difficulty of the upcoming match.

Cardozo said during the pre-match press conference that handling the course of the game correctly will be a decisive factor, explaining: "Every moment we play without the ball means you have to defend to regain possession, and sometimes defense is your most aggressive moment in the style of play."

The Portuguese coach added that tactical discipline and commitment on the field are the foundation for achieving a positive result, saying: "If the players are committed, strong, and aggressive in defense, the moments of ball possession will come naturally, which helps in aligning with the team's identity."

Cardozo continued by emphasizing the importance of decisiveness in the small details on the field, saying: "It is very important to be strong in crucial moments, whether in set pieces defensively or offensively, as this minimizes errors to the bare minimum."

Regarding the psychological and crowd aspects, the Sundowns coach explained that his team is accustomed to playing major matches under pressure, adding: "We work throughout our careers to play such matches. The difficult part is playing in places without fans or atmosphere, but we are ready for these moments."

Cardozo concluded his remarks by emphasizing the continental dimension of the confrontation, saying: "Tomorrow we will once again be Africa's image to the world, and we must maintain the spirit we showed in the first leg. We must not forget that the world is watching us, and that Africa should be represented in the best possible way."

The match is scheduled to take place tomorrow, Sunday, at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium at 10 PM. It is worth noting that the first leg ended with Mamelodi Sundowns winning 1-0.