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Miguel Cardoso, Motsepe
Dingizwe Gwala

Mamelodi Sundowns & Orlando Pirates coaches face pressure to deliver Caf Champions League, but Miguel Cardoso under the spotlight more than Jose Riveiro

The Masandawana mentor's only job is to deliver the Caf Champions League, while the Buccaneers fans are also desperate.

Mamelodi Sundowns head coach Miguel Cardoso may not have had his mandate laid out in the public eye, but the club’s sporting director, Flemming Berg, made one thing clear: every coach at Sundowns knows their mission is to win every available trophy. The weight of this expectation falls squarely on Cardoso’s shoulders as he prepares to lead his team into a crucial group stage clash against Raja Casablanca this Saturday, with the pressure to deliver undeniable success hanging over him.

On the other hand, Orlando Pirates' Jose Riveiro is no stranger to the weight of expectation either, but his position appears slightly less tense. Since his arrival in 2022, Riveiro has already brought silverware to the club, providing a sense of relief and accomplishment. Yet, with Pirates set to face Stade d'Abidjan at Orlando Stadium on the same day, the ambition for greater glory remains. Join GOAL as we delve deeper into these eagerly awaited fixtures and the challenges that await both managers.

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  • Tlhopie Motsepe & Miguel Cardoso, Mamelodi Sundowns, December 2024BackPagePix

    Pressure from Tlhopie Motsepe

    When Sundowns appointed Miguel, the club’s ambitions were crystal clear: they are gunning for the prestigious Champions League title. Cardoso, who reached last season's final with Esperance only to fall short against the record-holding Al Ahly, has an undeniable hunger to carve his name into Africa's footballing history. His drive to become a household name on the continent will find its ultimate fuel if he can lead Sundowns to Champions League glory.

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  • Orlando Pirates coach Jose Riveiro, October 2024BackPagePix

    Pirates fans crave the ultimate glory

    Riveiro may have carved a reputation as a cup specialist, but the pressure on the Pirates coach is mounting. Fans are no longer content with domestic victories; they want the league title and, more urgently, the Champions League trophy. With five major trophies already in his collection, Riveiro's legacy will be solidified only when he delivers the most coveted inter-club prize in African football, a feat that will elevate him among the elite in Pirates' history.

  • Miguel Cardoso, Mamelodi Sundowns, December 2024Mamelodi Sundowns

    A challenge to surpass his predecessors

    Rhulani Mokwena and Manqoba Mngqithi, despite their domestic successes, failed to clinch the Champions League during their time at Sundowns. Their league performances were commendable, but it was the elusive continental crown that kept them from achieving greatness in the eyes of many. For Cardoso, winning the Champions League would not only elevate him above his predecessors, but it would cement his place as one of the most successful and revered Sundowns coaches in history.

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  • Alexandre Lafitte of Stade d’Abidjan and Jose Riveiro of Orlando Pirates GOAL GFX

    The importance of finishing first

    Securing the top spot in the group stage of the Champions League holds immense strategic value. It guarantees a seeding in the quarter-final draw, a crucial advantage in avoiding the toughest competition in the knockout stages. Historically, the teams that finish first are regarded as the strongest in their group, and being placed in this bracket can tilt the balance in their favour.

  • Manqoba Mngqithi, Mamelodi SundownsBackpage

    And what else?

    Under Mngqithi, Sundowns struggled in the Champions League group stages, failing to secure a single win and drawing twice against FAR Rabat and Maniema Union. It wasn't until Cardoso's arrival that Sundowns finally earned their first three points in the competition. With a pivotal away match against Raja on the horizon, Sundowns are in a strong position to take charge of Group B. Meanwhile, Pirates find themselves just two points behind Group C leaders and defending champions Al Ahly. A victory against Stade d'Abidjan, coupled with an Al Ahly loss to CR Belouizdad, could see Pirates surge to the top of their group, a result that would send their fans into raptures and significantly boost their hopes of advancing to the quarter-finals.

  • Jose Riveiro, Orlando PiratesBackpage

    Dive deeper

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