Cardoso finds ‘Pirates excuse’ after Sundowns drop CAF CL points against Lupopo

Mamelodi Sundowns played to a 1-1 draw with St Eloi Lupopo in Group C of the CAF Champions League outing staged in Lubumbashi.

It was an unwanted result for the visitors, who are now placed third on the table with six points with just one round remaining. A draw for leaders Al-Hilal Omdurman and MC Alger in Matchday six will be enough to lock out both Masandawana and Lupopo from the knockout phase.

Coach Miguel Cardoso has conceded the first half was tough on their side and Lupopo pressed them from the start.

The first-half analysis

In the first half, we knew there would a lot of energy in pressing us, not allowing us to impose the game that we want to play,” the Portuguese told the media.

“But we also knew that it would be important not to make any mistakes not to suffer any threats, control as much as possible. Unfortunately, we conceded, Lupopo had more energy even on the stands.

“There was then a lot of stoppages, lots of players falling down here and there, something that we need to understand that it gives nothing to football in the future. It’s something that needs to be fought by referees, and today it was not,” he added.

Not easy to play in Lubumbashi!

Cardoso argues even the likes of Orlando Pirates, MC Alger and Al Hilal struggled on the venue.

“Second half, we were able to score and create a moments of panics in the box of Lupopo. And I think with a very dry pitch, with a surface that is not the best to play, we couldn’t finalise situations,” former Esperance coach added.

“It’s not the best scenario with the result we wanted but also not the worst because I remember no one won here. MC Alger lost, Al Hilal drew, Pirates lost 3-0 but in another stadium. It’s not easy to play here.

“In the last match [against MC Alger], we will play to win and get through to the next stage of the competition,” Cardoso concluded.