Relieved Miguel Cardoso pleased with Mamelodi Sundowns' performance after hard-fought win at AS Maniema Union - 'We were clearly the better team and we deserved to win'

Mamelodi Sundowns edged AS Maniema Union 2-1 in a Caf Champions League Group B match at Stade des Martyrs de la Pentecote on Saturday.

The Brazilians had to come from behind for a late win when it appeared victory had eluded them.

Coach Miguel Cardoso was under pressure and felt relieved that his side had managed to avoid defeat.

“I think we were highly penalised by the score at half-time,” Cardoso told the media.

"It’s difficult to play here and it’s obvious by the results Maniema [achieve], they don’t suffer many goals here, it’s a team that you can have possession against but they always find a way out the press due to the direct style of football.

“Sometimes it’s difficult to cope with that, but we played our style that we create our own moments, we did that and if we analysed what we did in the first half, it was important to keep the emotions and try and increase the level of pace inside the pitch, in terms of players in front, creating moments [for scoring]," added the Portuguese tactician.

“We broke our way of playing a bit because we were not connecting in the first half and a bit in the second half, but we were more dangerous later. Not always by the right way of playing but by the right intentions and the right spirit, we fought and were rewarded. 

“We were clearly the better team and we deserved to win with the work our boys did in the full period of the match.”

Despite collecting maximum points on the road, Masandawana could not go to the top of Group B.

They remain second behind FAR Rabat who were due to face Raja Casablanca in a Moroccan Derby.

The Brazilians now conclude their Group B campaign by hosting FAR Rabat next Sunday in what will be a stern home test against the Moroccans.

Victory will see Cardoso's side finishing on top of this pool.