Mamelodi Sundowns coach Miguel Cardoso has lauded his team’s discipline and preparation following their commanding 5-1 victory over Remo Stars in the CAF Champions League preliminary second-round first leg at the M.K.O. Abiola International Stadium on Sunday.
The Brazilians ran riot, with goals from Tashreeq Matthews, Peter Shalulile, Miguel Reisinho, Arthur Sales, and Katlego Ntsabeleng securing a resounding win. Remo Stars’ Samson Olasupo managed a late consolation for the Nigerian side.
Sundowns Take a Strong Lead Ahead of Second Leg
The emphatic result gives Sundowns a significant advantage ahead of the return leg in Tshwane next Sunday, with the aggregate winner advancing to the group stages of Africa’s premier club competition.
After the match, Cardoso highlighted the meticulous planning that went into preparing for the Nigerian champions. “We analysed six of Remo Stars’ matches not just their two previous Champions League qualifiers, but also four games from their domestic league,” he said.
The Portuguese coach added, “I even reviewed last year’s game they played against AS FAR. That shows the level of detail needed when preparing for these encounters. Without this study, you could easily be caught off guard.”
Clinical Performance in a Physical Encounter
Cardoso praised his players for their efficiency and composure, noting that Sundowns led 2-0 at halftime in a physically demanding game before adding three more goals in the second half. “It’s not easy to face a team that applies tight man-to-man marking throughout. The players executed our plan perfectly, and scoring five goals against the Nigerian champions is no small feat,” he said.
Respecting the Challenge Ahead
Despite the dominant scoreline, Cardoso warned against overconfidence, stressing that the tie is far from concluded. Sundowns will return to Loftus Versfeld full of confidence, but the coach insisted that focus and respect for the opposition remain essential.
“This is only the first leg, even with such a strong result. We must approach the second match with the same seriousness because the qualifying round isn’t over,” he noted. “I want to congratulate my players for their commitment and hard work. This is the attitude needed to succeed in African football.”
Miguel Cardoso: “Discipline and Focus Are Key”
Despite the resounding 5-1 victory, Cardoso reminded everyone that the job is not finished. He emphasised that continued focus, preparation, and respect for the opponent will be crucial in the second leg. “This result gives us confidence, but we have to maintain our discipline and approach the next match seriously. That’s the only way to secure our place in the group stages and continue our quest for continental glory,” he said.
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