Miguel Cardoso Reveals What Mamelodi Sundowns Must Get Right Against Al Ahli in FIFA Cup
- Mamelodi Sundowns head coach Miguel Cardoso addressed the media ahead of Saturday's FIFA African-Asian-Pacific Cup clash with Al Ahli
- Cardoso acknowledged Al Ahli's quality, noting the Saudi side could field up to three Saudi national team players in their line-up
- Sundowns have not played a high-stakes international match since winning the CAF Champions League final against AS FAR Rabat in May
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PRETORIA — Mamelodi Sundowns head coach Miguel Cardoso has called on his players to operate at their absolute limit when the South African side takes on Saudi Arabian club Al Ahli at Loftus Versfeld Stadium on Saturday in the FIFA African-Asian-Pacific Cup.
Speaking to reporters at Sundowns' Chloorkop training base on Friday, Cardoso was candid about the opposition's quality, describing Al Ahli as a squad assembled at considerable expense, with undeniable talent at every position.
Cardoso warns of Al Ahli's threat
"In the world, obviously they are still something above. Their quality is undeniable, they will maybe have two, maximum three players Saudi Arabia (national team) in the line-up," Cardoso told reporters, according to KickOff.
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"It's a squad full of high level players. If we were (to focus on) that we would obviously not enter the pitch but that's not what is going to play."
The Portuguese coach stressed that attitude and commitment would determine the outcome as much as technical ability.
"Inside the four lines what is more important is the team's commitment to its approach. The players must commit at the highest level they can," he said.
Cardoso was particularly firm on the need for complete concentration throughout the 90 minutes, cautioning that any lapse could prove costly.
"We need to take ourselves to the limit, details can (determine the game), they have players that can define the match, pay attention, not 99 percent of the time but 100 percent of the time, not 99 percent of the actions but 100 percent of the actions," he said.
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Al Ahli enter with momentum
Al Ahli arrive at Loftus with momentum, having beaten Auckland FC 1-0 in the African-Asian-Pacific Cup play-offs ahead of the tournament proper.
Sundowns, by contrast, have not featured in a high-stakes continental fixture since claiming the CAF Champions League title against AS FAR Rabat on aggregate in May.
Despite the inactivity, Cardoso pointed to the squad's international experience, including their participation in the 32-team FIFA Club World Cup just over a year ago, as a key advantage heading into Saturday's encounter.
Mailula’s return gives Sundowns another attacking option
Briefly News also reported that Cassius Mailula’s return to Mamelodi Sundowns has already produced early signs of an impact. The forward scored against Polokwane City in the MTN8 quarter-final before finding the net again against Kaizer Chiefs after coming off the bench.
Mailula’s recent reflections on his time abroad provide further context to his return. After spells with Toronto FC and KV Kortrijk, the 25-year-old said he valued what he learned despite the difficulties he encountered.
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Source: Briefly News
