Cardoso knows Esperance strong points, believes Mamelodi Sundowns can still exploit them

Miguel Cardoso is aware of Esperance's loyalty to their system. However, such is the trust he has in Mamelodi Sundowns' "own process" that he believes they’ll be able to crack the visitor's code.

Cardoso will lead Mamelodi Sundowns in their CAF Champions League quarter-final first leg against Esperance at Loftus Versfeld this afternoon (kick-off 3pm). This is a clash that the Brazilians will need to perform well in if they are to win the tie, including the second leg in Tunisia over the weekend, to reach the semi-final.

The Brazilians will head into the clash in the nation’s capital high on confidence, having backed Cardoso to equip them with all the intelligence he has on Esperance.

The Portuguese coach managed the Tunisian giants last term, beating Sundowns in the two-legged semi-final before losing the final to the Club of the Century, Al Ahly. Given his run last season on the continent — and against Sundowns — these are some of the reasons that led to his appointment by the South African champions late last year.

Cardoso, speaking at the pre-match press conference on Monday, admitted that a lot has changed at Esperance since his reign, but he knows the team’s strengths.

“What I knew from the Esperance team was the starting point in terms of analysis,” Cardoso said at Sundowns’ base.

“The team has changed since we left, with different players arriving. So, the team is different from the one that Sundowns played last season, in terms of both players and structure.

“Two coaches have come in after me. The new coach (Maher Kanzari, for sure) will bring something new to the team but we expect the team to remain loyal to the identity of Esperance.

“It’s a club that has an identity regarding the way they play — they have a system. So, we expect them to be loyal to themselves.”

Cardoso is not worried about Esperance’s strength, though. He has worked with his players for some time, and he believes they can unlock any code or system at any time.

“I feel every day that these players have a lot of will to do well in the Champions League because they also want to do well,” Cardoso said.

“We have a group of players that are in the twilight of their careers. They have the will and experience to leave a mark, besides everything else that they’ve won.

“It’s clear that’s the mindset everyone has. So, we’ll try to be loyal to that wish and fight to give our best in the competition until the end.”

Cardoso and his players are eager to fight tooth and nail to ensure they win the second star after a nine-year barren run, but he has also pleaded for pragmatism if that doesn’t happen.

“I don’t think that teams that do not win the Champions League are teams that fail. Last year, we didn’t win with Esperance, but I didn’t think that we failed,” Cardoso added.

“We want to bring something more for these clubs, and everything has been done to ensure we succeed and go as far as possible in the competition. That’s the spirit that we have… we’ll fight until the end. But it’s important that we look at sport holistically. Not all teams will be successful.

“Out of these knockout rounds, there will be a good team that’ll be eliminated. Esperance are a good team. Sundowns are also a very good team on the continent.”

While Cardoso knows that their campaign can still go pear-shaped, Sundowns’ players do not want another “near miss”. Sundowns reached back-to-back semi-finals in the last two seasons. That’s why left-back Aubrey Modiba expressed a belief that they have enough depth to go all the way this season.

“I think right now, we’ve got a good squad and a team that’s ready to fight. We’ve also got a technical team that’s helping us,” Modiba added. “So, hopefully, this season, we can go all the way because we really want to participate in finals as it gives us a chance of winning the competition.”