'Committed’ Cardoso turns to CAFCL journey

As a coach under scrutiny at Mamelodi Sundowns, Miguel Cardoso will now shift his focus to the CAF Champions League with a tie against Sudanese outfit Al-Hilal at Loftus Versfeld on Friday night.

Kick-off is at 8pm (CAT, GMT+2).

Downs will head into their next CAF Champions League game on the back of a 2-0 win over Orbit College in the Betway Premiership and subsequently moved to the top of the league standings by one point, while second-placed Orlando Pirates have two games in hand.

In the CAF Champions League, Downs lead the way in Group C and share the same amount of points (4) with their upcoming opponents who are in second position, with the two teams being separated by goal difference.

Sundowns last recorded a 0-0 draw with MC Alger in the CAF Champions League, in a match that took place on 28 November at the Ali La Pointe Stadium.

Al-Hilal saw out an impressive 4-0 win against Rayon Sports in their most recent Rwandan Premier League game last weekend, while they jotted down a 1-1 stalemate with St. Eloi Lupopo last time out in the CAF Champions League on 30 November at Stade de la Victoire.

Downs are currently on an eight-match unbeaten run in all competitions, while Al-Hilal are in red-hot form after recording eight-straight wins in the Rwandan league leading up to Friday’s game.

WHAT WAS SAID

Mamelodi Sundowns coach Miguel Cardoso has been under the spotlight in South African football media in the last couple of weeks and addressed the talk by mentioning that he is committed to the course.

“There’s a strong leadership, strong sport direction, a strong coach and a strong locker room. The doors of Chloorkop are strong that those things like that don’t enter, we are united," Cardoso said.

“We are working hard to please our fans. And we need them not to be let themselves be poisoned by the outside, keep supporting us.”

“I’ll be here until the club decides [otherwise], until then, I’ll be committed, excited and motivate my players to do their best. I’m already too old to worry about things that are just noise.”

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Mamelodi Sundowns: Nuno Santos – It can be said that Santos has grown from strength to strength at Chloorkop since his move to the club in September last year. Santos has two goals and one assist to his name in the CAF Champions League Group stage this season, statistics that will no doubt catch Al-Hilal’s attention.

Al-Hilal: Jean Claude Girumugisha – As a player on a streak for his club, Jean Claude as he is simply known will be boosted by his brace against Rayon last time out. Known for his predatory instincts inside the area, Sundowns will need to keep a keen eye on the attacker when defending their quarters.

HEAD-TO-HEAD

Games: 6

Mamelodi Sundowns wins: 4

Al-Hilal wins: 0

Draws: 2