CAFCL: Sundowns objective is to win against AS FAR and not draw – Cardoso

Photo Courtesy Sundowns Media.

Mamelodi Sundowns head coach Miguel Cardoso has called on his players to focus and win their CAF Champions League fixture against AS FAR at Loftus Versfeld on Sunday.

Heading into the final group fixture, the Brazilians will need a draw to qualify against a side, who have already booked their place in the knock out stages of the lucrative competition.

But according to Cardoso, looking for a draw will not help his team hence his decision to play for a win. Cardoso further believes his side has had enough time to prepare for what is anticipated to be a mouthwatering clash.

“I think both teams have a clear identity in the manner they approach the game and I think that’s what you are going to see on the pitch. AS FAR have less to lose as they are already through to the knockout stages," Cardoso said as quoted by the club’s official website.

“They’ll be playing for the first position in the group while we will be playing to proceed to the next round. We know that a draw will get us through to the next round but the objective is to win the game because anyone with a mindset to draw usually loses the game.”

He continued: “It’s an important match, one that everyone will want to be a part of. We worked very well during the week, something we haven’t been able to do for a while now, due to our tight schedule.

“We tried to prepare ourselves as best as we could and help the players with recovery and getting them ready for the game in terms of physical conditioning and tactical approach. We are now making the finishing touches so that we can get a result that makes us qualify for the next round.”

Defender Mosa Lebusa echoed coach Cardoso’s sentiments by saying: “From the players’ side, we are very excited and we know what it means to take the team to the next round of the competition. Everyone has been working hard and we are ready for the hard work we ought to display (Sunday).”

A draw against the Moroccan side will book the South African champions a place in the quarter-final, while a straight win will not only book them a place in the next round, but it will also see them finish the group stages on top of the Group B table.