Mamelodi Sundowns’ Miguel Cardoso Speaks on Remo Stars, Shares Thoughts on Heat Concerns

• Miguel Cardoso has opened up on how Mamelodi Sundowns would approach the game against Remo Stars in Abeokuta on Sunday evening
• The Portuguese tactician needs to guide the Premier Soccer League giants to a win for the opportunity to qualify for the group stage of the Champions League this season
• The former Esperance of Tunisian has initially downplayed the favourite tag placed on the Brazilians, and he also aired his views about the heat in Nigeria

Mamelodi Sundowns head coach Miguel Cardoso has shared his thoughts on how his team would approach the game against Remo Stars in the CAF Champions League preliminary round.

The Brazilians are hoping to secure a place in the group phase of the competition like they did last season, but need to beat the Nigerian giants in their two-legged tie.

The Premier Soccer League giants will face the Remo-based side at the MKO Abiola International Stadium on Sunday, October 19, 2025, for the first leg, followed by the reverse fixture in South Africa a week later.

Read also

CAF Champions League: Remo Stars bullish ahead of South Africa trip to face Sundowns

Cardoso discusses Remo Stars tie, Nigeria's heat

Cardoso emphasised the need to approach the tie with complete focus and professionalism, noting that both legs would pose their own challenges. He acknowledged that adapting to different conditions would be difficult for both sides but highlighted the motivation and ambition driving the Remo Stars players and staff.

Responding to questions about the expected high temperatures in Nigeria, Cardoso expressed confidence in his team’s ability to cope. He pointed out that the players were accustomed to playing in hot conditions and referenced their recent experience at the FIFA Club World Cup in the United States as valuable preparation.

According to the coach, the South African summer offers similar conditions, and his squad is well equipped to handle the heat when they take on Remo Stars.

South Africa and Nigeria are two of Africa's most prominent football nations, often seen as rivals. They recently faced off in the World Cup qualifiers, which ended 1-1, with Bafana Bafana securing the automatic ticket in the final round of the qualifiers.

Read also

Lupopo coach reveals game plan ahead of CAF Champions League second leg vs Pirates

Here is what Sundowns fans are saying on social media concerning Cardoso pre-match press conference.

Iamziyar said:

"There was a time in the history of Sundowns where every post match press conference began with Rulani Mokwena saying "congratulations to Mamelodi Sundowns". Nowadays, it's like watching an ANC minister explaining himself to a portfolio committee 🤷🏿‍♂️."

_Leader99 wrote:

"Who's the technical adviser of Sundowns. They should pull out of the Match to avoid unnecessary embarrassment in the hand of Remo Stars 🌟. The result tomorrow could demoralise the team and affect their performance in the psl."

Ghost_kamakazi shared:

"This era is a waste of time and momentum that we will never get back at Sundowns."

King_Dakana reacted:

"Anything besides a win for Mamelodi Sundowns this evening is unacceptable. We don’t play football to compete. We play to dominate. Cardoso must walk if he doesn’t deliver. Thanks and Goodluck 👆💯💛"

Vhavenda_ZA commented:

Read also

How Pitso Mosimane stopped Kaizer Chiefs from winning the 2020 league title

"This man must be cleansed. Him, Trum and Netanyahu are amongst the most disliked people on earth."

Nkululeko Madikizela added:

"The inconsistency of this team😞 we can’t be optimistic anymore. We shall see how they play but don’t invest your emotions in it. Anything is possible with Cardoso."

Sundowns sign new goalkeeper

Briefly News also reported that Sundowns have snapped up a new goalkeeper, signing him after he left one of the Premier Soccer League rivals.

The Brazilians invested in one of the promising talents in the South African league, after signing a youth international.

Source: Briefly News