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Sundowns were held at home by Pyramids after stoppage-time blow but coach Cardoso has backed his side to triumph in Cairo decider.
Mamelodi Sundowns goalkeeper Denis Onyango watched from the bench as his side conceded a heart-wrenching stoppage-time equaliser against Egypt’s Pyramids FC in the CAF Champions League final first leg.
The 1-1 draw at Loftus Versfeld Stadium on Saturday evening means the South African giants face a tricky challenge in Cairo on June 1, but the belief within the Sundowns camp remains unwavering.
Lucas Ribeiro’s fierce left-footed strike midway through the second half looked to have given Masandawana a slender but crucial advantage heading into the return leg.
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However, a late sucker punch came in the fifth minute of added time, when Walid El Karti rose highest to nod home a dramatic equaliser for the visitors, leaving Sundowns with plenty to do in the Egyptian capital.
“We need mental strength because everything is still open,” said Sundowns head coach Miguel Cardoso as per Daily Monitor.
“Pyramids know that too.”
The Brazilian tactician was visibly frustrated at the final whistle but remains confident that his team can bounce back and lift their second Champions League title, having last done so in 2016.
Cardoso, who replaced Rulani Mokwena earlier this season, stressed that his side would stick to their footballing principles despite the heartbreak.
“The better team will win the return leg, and we will play the same way we play every match. We must show the greatest desire,” he said.
Pyramids now take a slender advantage back home thanks to the away goals rule.
A goalless draw in Cairo would be enough to crown them continental champions for the first time in the club’s history. Meanwhile, a repeat of the 1-1 draw would force extra time and potentially penalties, with any outright victory by either team sealing the trophy.
“This is the beauty and ugliness of football at the same time,” added Cardoso.
“If that goal hadn’t been scored, everyone would have said the coach was brilliant and made the right decisions.”
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The pressure will now be on Sundowns’ attacking players to deliver under the lights at the Air Defense Stadium, with the experienced Onyango likely to return between the posts.
Although Ronwen Williams started the first leg, Cardoso may be tempted to turn to Onyango’s wealth of big-game experience for the do-or-die second leg.
“We must score at least one goal,” Cardoso emphasised.
“Heroes emerge in difficult times - it’s easy to become a hero in good times.”
The atmosphere in Cairo is expected to be intense, with Pyramids supporters dreaming of a historic first CAF Champions League crown.
But Sundowns, buoyed by their pedigree and experience, will look to silence the crowd and etch their names into African football folklore once again.
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Meanwhile, on the continent’s second-tier stage, Ugandan forward Steven Mukwala experienced heartbreak as Simba SC were eliminated from the CAF Confederation Cup by Morocco’s RS Berkane.
Despite a valiant effort in Zanzibar that ended 1-1, Simba fell short 3-1 on aggregate. Mukwala had a goal ruled out for offside via VAR before Berkane’s Sidibe Soumaila netted to seal their third Confederation Cup title.
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