Mamelodi Sundowns stay grounded despite CAF and league comfort

Despite holding a commanding 3-0 lead following last week’s first-leg victory at Loftus Stadium, Cardoso insists the tie is far from decided.

The Portuguese mentor stressed that football remains unpredictable, urging his players to stay focused and approach the return leg with the same intensity. 

"Champions League is an open game. I was taking a look, Sporting Portugal lost 3-0 in the first leg of the conference league and in the extra time was winning 4-0, home. So, football shows us everyday stories that can be done and changes of games that can be done,” Cardoso said. 

“We cannot think things are done, they should be controlled by us. So, Champions League is not a story that is written yet."

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Even on the Betway Premiership front, the Portuguese mentor is cautious to get carried away despite being two points clear at the summit. 

"Regarding the victories, yes the victories are done, I think unfortunately the last defeat we had was exactly the match in which Teboho [Mokoena] was given a red card when we were smashing Siwelele away, looking for the second goal to win,” the coach added.

“Otherwise, probably we could be in a better series but we need to be suspicious of every match, there's so many challenges ahead and so many difficult matches and we have to manage the level of the opponents.

“I think we have ahead of us Polokwane and then Durban City, imagine, so the level of the games will be very aggressive. I still don't know the final calendar but I think those are the next fixtures in the championship. 

“So, a lot of challenges but threats can come from any team if we don't take it to 100%, 99% is not enough to win this championship. 100% will take us there if we can be committed 100%, we'll be closer, that's it."