Cardoso Admits Sundowns Failure after shock CAF exit - Coach Urges Focus on Domestic Silverware

Ralph Staniforth

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Last updated: 1 hour ago

Ralph Staniforth 1 hour ago

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Mamelodi Sundowns have been eliminated from the CAF Champions League by Wiliete SC on away goals after a 1-1 draw.
Coach Miguel Cardoso admits collective responsibility for their failure and stresses the need to refocus.
Sundowns will now pursue domestic trophies, including the Carling Knockout Cup and regaining the PSL crown.

Sundowns coach Miguel Cardoso has his side to refocus after an early CAF exit (Getty Images).

Cardoso Accepts Responsibility for Early Exit

Mamelodi Sundowns coach Miguel Cardoso has admitted that his team failed after the defending champions were eliminated from the CAF Champions League by Angolan side Wiliete SC.
Cardoso Accepts Responsibility for Early Exit
Missed Chances to Blame for Elimination
Carling Knockout Clash Gives Chance to Respond

The Angolan club progressed on the away-goals rule following a 1-1 second-leg draw at Loftus Versfeld. “Of course, it's a failure. It's a failure from everybody – the players, and the coaches,” Cardoso said, accepting collective responsibility after Sundowns failed to reach the group stages for the first time since 2015.

Missed Chances to Blame for Elimination

Sundowns took an early lead through Tashreeq Matthews, but Mabululu punished a defensive mistake from Cassius Mailula to equalise early in the second half, leaving the Brazilians needing another goal to save their continental campaign.

Cardoso acknowledged the magnitude of the disappointment but insisted the team must move forward, saying: “The only way now is to look forward. There are other competitions to win. We need to move on very quickly. It’s a tough blow, but we just need to look forward and keep winning.”

Carling Knockout Clash Gives Chance to Respond

Sundowns face Marumo Gallants in the Carling Knockout last 16 on Tuesday, with Cardoso highlighting the immediate need to refocus as his side continues its pursuit of domestic honours.

“For the rest of the season, it means that we have to focus even more on the competitions that we have to play,” he said, pointing to the Carling Knockout Cup, the league and the CAF Super Cup as opportunities to bounce back and add to the two trophies Sundowns have already won this season.

The Brazilians could still secure seven trophies this season.

Ralph Staniforth is a South African sports journalist, editor and betting writer who has worked in sports media since 2012.

With a background in Sports Science, he has covered a wide range of sports and interviewed leading players and coaches across South African rugby, cricket and football.

His sports betting work covers both South African and international markets, combining his knowledge of sport with extensive experience analysing fixtures, teams, form and betting markets.

Ralph specialises in football and rugby, while also covering cricket, tennis and golf. His work includes match previews, betting tips, betting guides and broader analysis of the sports betting industry.

You can find more from Ralph at Muckrack and LinkedIn.