Mamelodi Sundowns have vowed to stay focused and composed when they face FC Saint-Éloi Lupopo in the opening match of the CAF Champions League group stages at Loftus Versfeld Stadium.
The encounter promises to be challenging, mainly because the Congolese visitors have a reputation for employing gamesmanship, as witnessed during their recent clash against Orlando Pirates.
Two weeks ago, Lupopo defeated Pirates in a game marred by controversial antics. Notable confrontations led by defender Dieumerci Mukoko later earned him a two-match CAF suspension.
Now Pirates’ PSL Big Brother Sundowns are well prepared for Lupopo’s tactical treachery and won’t fall for devious strategies. Sundowns coach Cardoso has emphasised the need for composure on the pitch.
“We always make a big effort to make sure players understand that if you have any emotions that are not proper to play a football match, you must leave them in the locker room,” he said.
Cardoso highlighted his team’s ability to draw on last season’s incidents when tensions ran high in a fixture against Esperance.
“I was aggressive in taking our players out of that confusion situation because I always want to keep the players on their best behaviour,” he remarked.
With Lupopo and coach Guy Bukasa suspended alongside Mukoko, Sundowns will look to exploit the situation. Cardoso reiterated the importance of sticking to their tactical plan:
“We need to know where we are, what the plan is and what is happening on the pitch, so that we do the right things.”
Midfielder Marcelo Allende echoed Cardoso’s sentiments.
“Our focus is on our game; we need to up our game by playing faster and taking our chances. We are here to try to get three points at home and get the group stages off to a positive start,” the Chilean explained.
As the Premiership giants march into this phase of the tournament, their ambition to reclaim the prestigious Champions League title—last won in 2016—remains a driving force.
Cardoso explained that every Champions League match carries its own narrative, and it will be up to Sundowns to ensure that the opening chapter of their group-stage journey is a positive one.
“First match of the Group Stage, obviously, every match will have a story, but we must write the right one on this one. First home match, a good start is important,” Cardoso said.
Sundowns have carefully analysed Lupopo and understand their unique challenges.
“Most of all, we must understand how to play against this team. It has its particularities, its way of playing, its own characteristics, so that we understand how to exploit its weaker things and how to avoid being attacked by the things that they have that are more positive.”
Cardoso also reflected on last season, when Sundowns failed to win their opening home fixture against Maniema Union.
“We remember very well what happened last year in the first game of the group stage. Sundowns lost to Maniema at home.”
Determined not to repeat that experience, he stressed the importance of starting with intensity from the first whistle.
“We want to make a good start. A good start is on the whistle of the referee, and the players that are available and that can start that match will be, for sure, very, very strong in going and pursuing the result we want to get.”
With the game against Lupopo teetering on the brink of both excitement and caution, Sundowns will need to draw on their experience, skill, and mental fortitude to rise above the challenges that await.
