Miguel Cardoso unhappy after Mamelodi Sundowns conceded 'stupid goal' against AS FAR Rabat and reminds doubters that he 'went to the final always playing away second match' in Caf Champions League as Esperance de Tunis coach

Mamelodi Sundowns coach Miguel Cardoso has expressed his disappointment following Masandawana's draw against AS FAR in the Caf Champions League match on Sunday evening at the Loftus Versfeld Stadium.

Peter Shalulile found the back of the net for Downs just within the first 12 minutes of the match with Downs controlling possession. 

However, the Brazilians' lead was nullified by Amin Zouhzouh's strike in the 83rd minute as the two teams ended up sharing the points in Tshwane.

Cardoso, who had been optimistic about Sundowns' chances of winning the match on the night, reacted after Downs conceded a goal late in the game.

"Bitter sensation was when we arrived here, this was a very tough group from the very beginning and the situation was not comfortable, so arriving here, going through the group stages is obviously an accomplishment. When you're winning the game, twenty minutes to finish, in total control of the game, you don't expect to get a draw, you just expect to finish the game and win," Cardoso said on SABC Sport.

"Firstly we had to pay attention and details, as I told you I think it's a little bit of a stupid goal, the one we suffered and at the end and of course they will get first position. But let's speak about what we are going to do in the next moment, let's wait for the draw and see what will happen then."

"We were okay, we were comfortable, and the team that was managing the game, and as you saw we changed and sometimes you expect things to happen and they don't," explained the Portuguese tactician. 

"The intention was to get more control of the game because AS FAR was not too aggressive. But we made a mistake, we lost one player and we suffered a goal, the Champions League is like that, a small mistake, it's a goal. We paid for that."

"Anyway it's important that we passed the group stages, it was the objective mission accomplished. No, because every team is very strong, eventually, of course, we could not take advantage of playing the second leg at home, so we have to do our job in the right way," he continued. 

"Last year I went to the final, always playing away in the second match. What is important is how we will grow from now until April when we play in the Caf Champions League. It's time to close the door on the Champions League, and focus on the championship, and big challenges ahead.

"We had a lot of players out of the team today, I cannot even say the names because there are many players who could not play. So the team will grow and we will be stronger." 

Despite letting their lead slip against AS FAR, Sundowns successfully progressed to the Champions League quarter-finals, joining their Premier Soccer League counterpart Orlando Pirates.

The Tshwane giants secured second place in the Group B standings, while the Botola Pro League side ended as the group leaders.

Downs could meet the Buccaneers in the next stage as they are one of their potential opponents including Sudanese Al-Hilal and Esperance de Tunis of Tunisia. 

Cardoso's Sundowns will aim to enhance their underwhelming performances in the quarter-finals as they await the announcement of their opponents.

In the meantime, Downs will redirect their focus to the PSL as they gear up for their away match against struggling Magesi FC on Wednesday.