Under-fire Miguel Cardoso backs Mamelodi Sundowns to defy the odds in Congo

Miguel Cardoso has encouraged his Mamelodi Sundowns troops to adopt a positive and honest approach when they face St. Eloi Lupopo in a must-win CAF Champions League penultimate group-stage clash on Sunday (3pm kick-off).

Sundowns will visit Lupopo at the TP Mazembe Stadium, with both teams eyeing three points that would keep their chances of qualifying for the knockout stage alive. The sides currently sit second and fourth in Group C, with five and four points respectively.

However, the Brazilians are under the most pressure. After the fourth round of matches, they were expected to have all but secured a place in the next round, underlining their intention to make up for last season’s loss in the final.

Sundowns' shortcomings in the competition – which included a draw at home against Al Hilal before losing to the Sudanese giants at a neutral venue in Rwanda – have increased the pressure on Cardoso, who has become a target of angry supporters due to below-par performances and unsatisfactory results.

The Portugal-born coach humbly asked disgruntled supporters to “respect the players, fans and coaches, and trust the process” after the team’s scrappy 2-1 win over Gomora United in the Nedbank Cup last-32 on Wednesday night, insisting the team would eventually get things right.

The 53-year-old knows there would be no better time to build momentum than by producing an honest and fruitful performance in Lubumbashi.

“It’s a tough match ahead, for sure; they are also a tough team,” said Cardoso, speaking deep in the bowels of Loftus Versfeld.

“But we’ll also be a tough team, with tough players on this side. We need to demand a top attitude, and we’ll have it on the day. We are going to fight for the best result possible so that, in the end, we can be satisfied with the honesty of the work we put on the pitch.

“We hope the consequences of that attitude are positive so that we give ourselves the best possible chance going into the last match. That’s how we need to go there and face things.”

Cardoso is not getting carried away and already thinking ahead to the clash against MC Alger at home on Friday night. He knows Sundowns cannot afford to underestimate the Congolese-based side, especially after three close rivals failed to win against Lupopo this season.

Local league title rivals Orlando Pirates lost 3-0 to Lupopo in the group-stage qualifiers, eventually losing the tie on penalties and failing to qualify for the group stage. Al Hilal drew with Lupopo away, while Rulani Mokwena’s MC Alger were humbled in a 1-0 defeat in Lubumbashi.

With the pitch made of artificial turf, Cardoso stressed the importance of adapting to the conditions and learning from the setbacks suffered by their closest rivals away to Lupopo.

“It’s a very particular pitch,” Cardoso noted.

“The way to play there will be quite tricky. What were the results of Pirates there at the beginning of the season? We need to learn from those lessons because it’s difficult to play there. Al Hilal drew there. MC Alger went there and lost. So, we really need to have the right mindset when playing that game."

Despite the challenges expected in Lubumbashi, Cardoso has backed his side to rise to the occasion.

“There are many factors we’ll face: a crowded stadium and a very emotional atmosphere from the fans,” he explained. “We need to have a serious, honest and humble approach so that, at the right moments, we can create our chances, score our goals and get the best possible result. But I believe the boys are up for the challenge. They know what they’ll face, and it’s those expectations we’ll try to meet.”