CAFCL: Why Cardoso was disappointed with Sundowns fans in Al Ahly stalemate

Photo Credit - Mamelodi Sundowns FC.

Mamelodi Sundowns head coach Miguel Cardoso was left disappointed with the turn out of their fans following a 0-0 draw against Al Ahly in their first leg semi-final clash of the CAF Champions League at Loftus Versfeld Stadium on Saturday.

The Brazilians looked the better side and enjoyed possession but they were not able to take their chances. Speaking after the game, Cardoso was not impressed with the turn out of the Yellow Army, saying it did not match the importance of the fixture.

“I am very happy that our fans helped us, but it is so sad to see such a beautiful stadium almost empty when you have a semi-final of the Champions League,” said Cardoso as quoted by FARPost. “We should have a full stadium, supporting us, giving us the extra energy that two or three per cent pushes you to be in front.

“It is tough to play these types of games, you have the best players in Africa playing this match, and sometimes people ask me what the difference is between North African and Southern African teams. It is that when you play in Cairo, you have 90,000 fans cheering from the first to the last minute, giving the team energy despite what happens on the pitch.”

He continued: “And today, although we felt the energy from our fans, we should have a full stadium, cheering, a full South Africa in the stadium, and that should happen even with matches for Stellenbosch and Orlando Pirates, and it didn’t.

“…I think the stands behind me [Sundowns bench] were quite okay, but the rest of the stadium unfortunately not at the level of this game, and that also could help us, the energy [from the supporters].

“To get over these kinds of teams [Al Ahly], you need everybody to play, the players, the coaches, the staff, everybody and the fans… It is important that in the next matches that we play at home, in the championship [Betway Premiership], as we have tough matches ahead, I hope the supporters will come in numbers and give us the energy we need.”

The two sides will face off again in the return leg on Friday, April 25, at Cairo International Stadium in Egypt.