CAFCL: Cardoso issues rallying cry ahead of Sundowns’ Kigali showdown

The honeymoon period for Mamelodi Sundowns head coach Miguel Cardoso appears to be facing its first real atmospheric test. Ahead of Friday night’s critical CAF Champions League showdown against Al-Hilal, the Portuguese tactician has sent a direct plea to the Chloorkop faithful: stick by us.

The Brazilians have landed in Rwanda for their Group C encounter at the Amahoro Stadium, but they carry with them the baggage of a restless fan base. Despite sitting at the summit of the group, a dramatic 2-2 draw against the Sudanese giants at Loftus Versfeld Stadium last Friday left many supporters simmering with frustration.

Cardoso, who has rotated his squad heavily in recent weeks, is well aware that the “Yellow Nation” expects nothing less than continental dominance.

Cardoso Makes Plea to Sundowns Faithful

“What I want is to celebrate with them and make them understand that I’m one of them,” Cardoso said ahead of the return leg. “I’m here to help the club and the team, but mostly, I want to be excited. Against Sekhukhune, the fans were fantastic, and we felt the energy inside the stadium.”

That midweek 2-0 win over Sekhukhune United provided a much-needed pressure valve, but the Champions League is where Cardoso’s pedigree is truly measured. Sundowns and Al-Hilal are currently locked in a stalemate at the top of Group C, both level on five points with identical records of one win and two draws.

Playing in Kigali—Al-Hilal’s adopted home due to the ongoing civil war in Sudan—will be no walk in the park. The Sudanese side proved their resilience in Pretoria, twice coming from behind through an Abdelrazig Omer brace to snatch a point.

Cardoso knows that one slip-up could turn a “Group of Death” into a funeral for Sundowns’ knockout hopes.

“We just need to be committed in good moments and the ones that are not so good,” the coach added, perhaps acknowledging the recent murmurs of discontent. “We must not lose the focus on the direction that we have to travel together so that we can arrive in the end and have points to allow us to be in the position we want to be.”

CAF Champions League Group C Heat

The stakes in Rwanda are amplified by the drama elsewhere in the group. Saint-Éloi Lupopo’s shock 1-0 victory over Rulani Mokwena’s MC Alger has blown the race wide open, with the Congolese side now sitting just one point behind the leaders.

With Mokwena’s Alger still winless after three matches, the pressure is on Sundowns to secure maximum points on Friday and avoid a frantic final two rounds against Lupopo and their former mentor’s Algerian outfit.

For Cardoso, the mission is simple: silence the critics, unite the fans, and prove that Masandawana still reign supreme on the African stage.

Beyond the immediate pressure of the Al-Hilal clash, the encounter also represents an important moment in Miguel Cardoso’s early tenure at Chloorkop. The Portuguese coach arrived with a reputation for tactical discipline and structured football, but success at Mamelodi Sundowns is ultimately judged by results on the continental stage. The CAF Champions League has long been a priority for the club, and expectations remain sky-high regardless of recent changes in the technical team.

For Sundowns, maintaining composure in hostile environments has historically been a key strength, and the Kigali test will demand exactly that. Cardoso’s call for unity between players and supporters underlines the importance of collective belief during demanding phases of the season. A positive outcome on Friday would not only strengthen Sundowns’ position in Group C but also help reinforce trust between the coach, the squad, and the passionate Yellow Nation.