Miguel Cardoso has warned Mamelodi Sundowns against becoming carried away by their first-leg advantage after edging FAR Rabat 1-0 in the opening leg of the TotalEnergies CAF Champions League final.
A superb Aubrey Modiba free-kick secured victory for the South African champions at Loftus Versfeld Stadium on Sunday, but Cardoso believes his side failed to fully capitalise on their dominance before the decisive return leg in Morocco.
While supporters celebrated an important home win, the Sundowns coach quickly shifted attention to the difficult challenge that awaits his team in Rabat, insisting the tie remains far from decided.
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Cardoso admitted Sundowns created enough opportunities to build a bigger advantage and expressed disappointment that his side could not make their control count on the scoreboard.
“We should have scored another goal to give ourselves a stronger advantage going into the second leg,” the Portuguese tactician said after the match.
Despite the narrow scoreline, Cardoso was encouraged by the discipline, confidence and composure his players showed against one of Africa’s most organised sides.
He said the performance proved Sundowns can compete confidently against any team on the continent.
The Pretoria-based club dominated possession for long spells and forced FAR Rabat deep into their own half, although the Moroccan side remained dangerous on the counterattack and defended with discipline.
Brian Leon Muniz missed a major chance in the second half after failing to convert in a one-on-one situation, while Teboho Mokoena later rattled the woodwork with a powerful set-piece effort.
For Cardoso, those missed opportunities underline the need for sharper finishing and complete concentration in the return fixture.
“We have to carry the same determination and intensity into the second leg because the job is not finished,” he said.
The Sundowns coach also cautioned his players about the hostile atmosphere expected in Rabat, where FAR Rabat will rely heavily on home support in their bid to overturn the deficit.
According to Cardoso, his team must remain calm, ignore distractions from the stands and focus fully on playing their usual attacking football.
Defensively, Sundowns succeeded for long periods in limiting FAR Rabat’s attacking transitions, even during phases when the visitors enjoyed more possession in the second half.
Cardoso praised his players for maintaining their shape and managing spaces effectively at the back.
However, he acknowledged that breaking down the Moroccan side consistently was difficult because of their tactical structure and the attacking involvement of their full-backs.
He explained that Sundowns needed patience in possession to stretch the game and create openings in wider areas.
Although his side failed to extend their lead, Cardoso said he was satisfied with the mentality and discipline shown throughout the contest and believes those qualities will be vital in the second leg.
