CAFCL: Sundowns coach Cardoso expects Espérance to maintain identity

Photo Credit: Mamelodi Sundowns

Mamelodi Sundowns coach Miguel Cardoso says he expects his former employers, Espérance Sportive de Tunis, to maintain their identity despite changing coaches twice since his exit last year.

The Portuguese mentor spoke to the Confederation of African Football media ahead of Tuesday’s home Champions League quarterfinal, first-leg match at Loftus Versfeld Stadium in Pretoria.

“The team has changed since we left. There have been different players that have come into the team, so the team is different from the one Sundowns played last year in terms of players and style of play,” Cardoso explained.

“Many months have passed, two coaches after me have coached Espérance and this new coach will of course bring something new to the team but we expect Espérance to be loyal to the identity of Espérance. This is a club with an identity of how they play and their systems.”

The two teams will clash again in the quarterfinal second leg match on April 8, a game the Sundowns boss suggests would be more crucial than the first leg.

“These matches are not 90-minute matches. This is just the first half and we need to understand that whatever happens tomorrow, there is still another 90 minutes to play and it is the outcome of those two matches that will determine who goes ahead,” the 52-year-old added.

Cardoso was in charge of the Tunisian giants when they stunned Sundowns 1-0 over two legs in the semifinal. Months later he was hired to replace highly rated Rulani Mokwena who is now in charge of Moroccan side Wydad Athletic Club.