Cardoso: We need to take ourselves to the limit
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Cardoso: We need to take ourselves to the limit
Sep 18, 2026 – 08:10 pm
By Thato Bosoga
Mamelodi Sundowns head coach Miguel Cardoso says they need to stretch themselves to the limit against Saudi Arabian giants Al Ahli when the sides clash in the FIFA African-Asian-Pacific Cup on Saturday afternoon at Loftus Versfeld Stadium.
The Eagles already have momentum in the FIFA Intercontinental Cup, after they edged Auckland FC 1-0 in the African-Asian-Pacific Cup play-offs, a once-off knockout encounter.
READ | Sundowns meet FIFA conditions for Intercontinental Cup squad
The Brazilians, on the other hand, have not played a highly competitive international match, since they defeated AS FAR Rabat in the CAF Champions League final on aggregate in May.
However, Cardoso is banking on their international experience to navigate the challenges against an expensively assembled outfit, after their previous participation in the 32-team FIFA Club World Cup just over a year ago.
“In the world, obviously they are still something above. Their quality is undeniable, they will maybe have two, maximum three players Saudi Arabia (national team) in the line-up,” Cardoso told reporters on the sidelines of their training pitch at Chloorkop on Friday.
“It’s a squad full of high level players. If we were (to focus on) that we would obviously not enter the pitch but that’s not what is going to play. Inside the four lines what is more important is the way the team is committed to the behaviour.
“The players committed to the highest level they can. We’re also a team that is very used to obviously competing at this level, we have experienced international players,” Cardoso said.
“Obviously in these kind of matches we need to take ourselves to the limit, details can (determine the game), they have players that can define the match, pay attention, not 99 percent of the time but 100 percent of the time, not 99 percent of the actions but 100 percent of the actions, so that we can control whatever that can happen and take the game in our hands,” the Portuguese coach added.