With the PSL season now officially over for Mamelodi Sundowns and their title on the verge of being snatched by Orlando Pirates after winning it a record eight times in a row, Miguel Cardoso will be more than desperate to deliver the second star, as his job depends on it.
Sundowns will host AS Far of Morocco in the first leg of the CAF Champions League this afternoon, and will hope to head into the second leg in Rabat next week with an
advantage.
The encounter is scheduled to get underway at 3pm at the Loftus Versfeld Stadium.
Several fans and pundits have come out to say that it’s a no-brainer that if Cardoso wants to keep his job, he must win the elusive Champions League for the Brazilians this season.
In the previous campaign, the Portuguese tactician fell short in the final, when they lost to Egyptian outfit Pyramids FC. The season before that, Cardoso managed to reach the final of the Champions League with Esperance de Tunis, but also couldn’t win the competition after losing to Al Ahly.
Sundowns last won the competition in 2016 under coach Pitso Mosimane and have since come close several times. Cardoso’s predecessor, Rulani Mokwena, was fired for failing to win the trophy, and he now finds himself in a similar situation, where his job is on the line,and depends on winning the second star for the club.
As of today, Cardoso has reached three consecutive Champions League finals and will pray that the football gods be on his side and be a third-time lucky this season.
However, it will not be easy, as he will be up against an AS Far side that has shown so much heart and desire on their road to the final.
Having won their only Champions League in 1985, you can imagine the number of spades they will be carrying heading into this final.
Yes, Masandawana have a more pedigreed squad than their opponents, but last season should have taught them that a little bit more than that is required if you are to be bestowed with the heavy African crown.
After last week’s 3-2 shocking and possible league title-ending defeat to TS Galaxy, Cardoso will hope to lift his side for this massive encounter, as they run the risk of ending the season trophyless for the first time since the 2012/13 season, which is 13 years ago.
- Mamelodi Sundowns' PSL season is officially over.
- Orlando Pirates are close to ending Sundowns' record of eight consecutive league titles.
- Miguel Cardoso, Sundowns' coach, faces pressure to secure a ninth title (the "second star").
- Cardoso's job security depends on winning the league again.
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advantage.
Several fans and pundits have come out to say that it’s a no-brainer that if Cardoso wants to keep his job, he must win the elusive Champions League for the Brazilians this season.
In the previous campaign, the Portuguese tactician fell short in the final, when they lost to Egyptian outfit Pyramids FC.
As of today, Cardoso has reached three consecutive Champions League finals and will pray that the football gods be on his side and be a third-time lucky this season.
However, it will not be easy, as he will be up against an AS Far side that has shown so much heart and desire on their road to the final.
Yes,
After last week’s 3-2 shocking and possible league title-ending defeat to TS Galaxy, Cardoso will hope to lift his side for this massive encounter, as they run the risk of ending the season trophyless for the first time since the 2012/13 season, which is 13 years ago.
