sportskeeda
Mamelodi Sundowns’ coach Miguel Cardoso expressed his disappointment regarding the insufficient support from Masandawana fans, as Loftus Stadium was not at full capacity for their vital CAF Champions League semi-final first leg against Al Ahly on Saturday.
The match concluded in a draw, adding more intrigue to the upcoming second leg. With everything on the line in Cairo next week, the Brazilians will need to gather their strength for the away clash, which is set for Friday.
Despite not allowing an away goal and with the return fixture still within reach, the Portuguese coach conveyed his dissatisfaction with the low turnout of Sundowns supporters during such a critical encounter.
“I appreciate the support we received from our fans, but it’s disappointing to see a grand stadium nearly empty during a Champions League semi-final. We should have had a full house cheering us on and providing that extra motivation,” Cardoso stated.
“It’s tough to play in these matches; they showcase the top players in Africa, and many wonder what gives North African teams an edge over South African teams—it also hinges on attendance [in the stands].
“When playing in Cairo, you’re greeted with a massive stadium filled with cheers from the opening to the closing whistle, which brings so much energy, regardless of what unfolds on the field.”
Additionally, Cardoso encouraged supporters of other South African teams participating in CAF inter-club competitions to rally together and act as the 12th man, emphasizing the importance of collective support during critical continental knockout matches.
“On this day [Saturday], while we valued the energy from our fans, we truly needed a stadium packed with supporters, representing all of South Africa. The same should apply to matches for Orlando Pirates and Stellenbosch, yet we didn’t witness that [full attendance],” the 52-year-old coach noted.
“Regrettably, though I couldn’t see behind me, the section behind was decent, but the overall attendance did not reflect the magnitude of this match, which could have provided us with additional energy.”
“It’s crucial that in our forthcoming home matches in the championship, our fans come out in large numbers to give us the energy needed to tackle challenging opponents because everyone must play their part in our success.”
He continued: “The players, coaching staff, and supporters—all of us must unite, and we trust in our ability to handle the atmosphere awaiting us in Cairo.”
“The stadium is enormous, and like venues in Tunisia, it features running tracks. Our players have the mindset that if you beat them once, you can do it again, and that’s the attitude we brought to the field today.”
Interestingly, the Egyptian government has granted Al Ahly’s request for full stadium capacity for the return leg, potentially creating a challenging environment for Cardoso’s squad in what will be a pivotal match for a place in the final.
Image courtesy of Inja Ka MoyaSnaps
