CAFCL: Sundowns ready for Esperance, wants Orlando Pirates in final - Cardoso

Photo Credit - Mamelodi Sundowns.

Mamelodi Sundowns head coach Miguel Cardoso has expressed their readiness to face Esperance Sportive de Tunis in the quarter-finals of the Caf Champions League and further stressed the importance of facing South African rivals Orlando Pirates in the final of the competition.

While the Brazilians were handed the Tunisian giants in the draw held on Thursday in Doha, Qatar, their nemesis Orlando Pirates were drawn to come up against Algerian outfit MC Alger at the same stage.

Speaking on learning of the draw, Cardoso explained why he was happy to avoid Pirates in the round of 16 and explained his desire to face them in the final.

“Esperance also made a very good qualification. I think that we’re [facing] a strong team, but we are also a very strong team. So, ahead of us, there is a very nice quarterfinal, with two matches [first and second leg], and details will define, for sure, the outcome of the games,” said Cardoso as quoted by FARPost.

“I hope that, indeed, we can arrive at that moment in the best shape with the best players available so that we can face the games with our best, almost strong squad.

“Obviously, I’m aware of the difficulties, and also, I’m aware of our capacity to overcome the opponents and to reach the next level. That’s obviously our objective and what we’re going to focus on in that moment.”

On why it was important to avoid Pirates, Cardoso explained: “I didn’t want to play Pirates because I think that is much more beautiful for the competition that we don’t have, let’s say, a national game [South African derby for now], but we make it [continentally].

“So, it didn’t happen. Basically, there were two teams, Esperance and Al Hilal. And both of them are different teams but strong. Al Hilal secured a qualification unbelievably. They just lost points in the last match.”

Cardoso continued: “It’s obvious that in this kind of international competition, you should expect that South African teams can do well. So, my expectation is that Orlando Pirates can do well.

“Why not face each other in the final? I know that it would be fantastic for South African football. I remember that I played myself a [UEFA] Europa League final [of both Portuguese teams] when I was in [Sporting] Braga against [FC] Porto.

“So, it was amazing to have that experience. It would be amazing to have a final with two South African teams. So, let’s work hard so that we can arrive at that moment, and why not play the final together?”

So far this season, Sundowns won the first Betway Premiership fixture against Pirates hammering them 4-1 at Loftus Versfeld Stadium.