'First Kaizer Chiefs, then Al Ahly next' – Cardoso shifts focus

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Mamelodi Sundowns head coach Miguel Cardoso is shifting his focus on Kaizer Chiefs ahead of their Nedbank Cup semi-final showdown.

The two giants of SA football clash on Sunday at the Loftus Versfeld. Masandawana had to overcome Esperance 1-0 on aggregate in the CAF Champions League to reach another semi-final.

“It was not an easy match, but I didn’t expect it also to be easier when you had to play against the team we were playing,” Cardoso told Sundowns’ media.

“You should remember that indeed this team last year played the final of the Champions League, but we knew that we had capacity and quality if we played in the right way to beat them.”

Cardoso’s team will face Kaizer Chiefs in another semi-final

Having reached the CAF CL semi-final, Downs will tackle Al Ahly in the semis. Cardoso is confident that his side can prevail and reach the final for the first time since 2016.

“Myself I tried to help as much as possible. There was a moment where I obviously understood it was important to reinforce the back and close the game and the players were so professional and so capable of doing it that I can only praise them.

“We know that Al Ahly have won many Champions League trophies in the last seven or eight years. Last year, unfortunately, I lost a final against them. But I think it is possible to beat them,” continued the trainer who once coached in La Liga, “said the Sundowns coach.

Cardodo will now turn his focus on Kaizer Chiefs, a team he already beat since joining the Brazilians.

“We need to play two very complete and strong games, focusing on the details for sure. We need to be strong and prepare ourselves in the best way.�

“The game against Al Ahly is not that far away, but we still have a Nedbank Cup semi-final to play, and that should be our focus now. We will then think about the Al Ahly game.”