Miguel Cardoso sees MC Alger triumph as statement victory

The Brazilians registered a commanding 2-0 victory over Rulani Mokwena's charges at Loftus Versfeld on Saturday afternoon which guaranteed their spot in the CAF Champions League quarterfinals for an eighth successive campaign.

Cardoso has faced intense scrutiny this season, with doubts over Downs' capabilities to retain their Betway Premiership crown while mounting a serious continental title challenge, but the Portuguese mentor insists yesterday's win sends a clear message to the sceptics. 

"I think that there was a lot of analysis of the pressure that was on our side, but sometimes the pressure of having to win is not smaller than the pressure of not being able to lose," said Cardoso.

"Because one goal can put the pressure on the other side very strongly and much more aggressive than it's on us, and that's what happened.

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"We knew we had to put the pressure on the other side, the team understood that very well, and I think it was very difficult for MC Alger to deal with that pressure throughout the match.

"Because our boys were so committed on not showing any possibility for the opponent to score against us, and I want to remind you that last year this team made a very good Champions League, going up to the final.

"I want to remind you also that this team [MC Alger] is a very strong team, they just won a trophy in Algeria, but I want to mostly remind you that Mamelodi Sundowns is a hell of a group of players and a hell of a club, and our fans are fantastic.

"And the way we gathered the emotions throughout the match was very important for us to stay committed to our values, and to double the energy to proceed [to the quarterfinals]."