Miguel Cardoso - Photo Credit Sundowns Media.
Mamelodi Sundowns head coach Miguel Cardoso has declared their readiness to take on Raja Casablanca in their return leg fixture of the Caf Champions League at Stade Larbi Zaouli on Saturday.
The Brazilians will be keen to seal a double over the Moroccan side having beaten them 1-0 in the first meeting. The win enabled Sundowns to move second in Group B and stay on course to qualify for the quarter-finals.
Ahead of the fixture, Cardoso believes his side are comfortable and ready to grab maximum points on the road. “This is another important game for us, and we know our responsibilities for this game. We studied our opponent very well to prepare for the game. We had a long trip, but we are comfortable and ready, making us feel that we are in the right moment to face Raja with due respect,” Cardoso said as quoted by the club’s official website.
He added: “No one should think that because Raja changed coaches, it will affect anything on the pitch. We focus on what we see. We studied our opponents. We look at our capacities and what we can do. It’s a 11 v 11 tomorrow (Saturday).”
His sentiments were echoed by defender Grant Kekana, who said: “I think the ambiance in the team is displaying a lot of brotherhood. We are all fighting for the same goal, and we all understand the objectives, what we are working towards, and what we want to achieve.
“We understand it’s going to be another difficult game, and it’s not easy to play in Morocco and playing Raja. It’s going to be tough, and I think preparations have been going well. It’s just about us asserting ourselves on the day and making sure that we take advantage of our opportunities.”
Kekana continued: “I don’t think the stats are going to affect our preparations. We understand that the past is the past, and ours is to look forward to the next game. We have the utmost respect for Raja because they are a big team.
“We know they are going to make it difficult for us, but we believe in ourselves, the structure of the team, and what we are doing. When the day comes, it will be just about us making sure that we can do what we have been working on.”
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