sportskeeda
Mamelodi Sundowns manager Miguel Cardoso shared his delight over his players’ performance during his debut match against Moroccan giants Raja Club Athletic at Loftus Stadium on Sunday.
The Portuguese coach recorded his first victory as head coach of Sundowns in the CAF Champions League group stage against the Moroccan side.
Sundowns demonstrated remarkable resilience to clinch the victory, with Bafana Bafana striker Iqraam Rayners scoring a stunning goal, leading the Brazilians to success.
Captain Ronwen Williams delivered a vital pass from his goal line, slicing through numerous defenders to release Kutlwano Letlhaku down the flank. The young talent then set up the former Stellenbosch striker, who finished confidently from the edge of the box, enabling Sundowns to commence their campaign in this competition after two previous draws.
“Naturally, I am very pleased with the results,” Cardoso remarked after the match.
“I am extremely thankful for the support we received during our four-day visit and today from our club structure and fans.
“I am also thrilled, especially with the dedication our players demonstrated right from the start, which allowed us to prepare as thoroughly as possible—both tactically and in spirit, culminating in today’s triumph.
“It was a challenging match, as expected, in a group filled with top-quality teams. However, as I said from the start, we have great respect for our opponents and for ourselves.
“The respect we had for ourselves was palpable on the pitch, as we aimed to capitalize on every moment with team spirit and the camaraderie we share within our group.”
The Brazilians currently sit in second place in Group B with five points after three matches, while Raja finds themselves at the bottom of the table with just one point from their encounter against AS Maniema Union.
