Mamelodi Sundowns arrived in Nigeria with quiet confidence and left with a press release. Their 5–1 demolition of Remo Stars on the M.Okay.O. Abiola Stadium was not only a Champions League qualifying victory; it was a tactical exhibition, a present of depth, self-discipline, and ruthless precision.
For head coach Miguel Cardozo, it was precisely the type of efficiency he demanded. And as he walked into the post-match press convention, his message was easy: respect the sport, respect the opponent, and respect the work.
This was one other story to be written
Requested concerning the South African Internationals’ core of his squad and whether or not their high quality tilted the stability, Cardozo dismissed that narrative.
“To start with, clearly, the gamers, they’re Mamelodi Sundowns gamers, and it’s not South Africa enjoying. It’s Mamelodi Sundowns,” Cardozo mentioned.
“We took it very severe. We associated with the necessity we needed to make an strategy tactically very clear, contemplating the research we had from the beginning.”
Sundowns didn’t simply win, they dismantled Remo’s man-to-man system with precision. The opening objective got here from a sample they’d labored on all week.
“It’s curious as a result of precisely the primary objective we scored is one area that we knew we may use to discover a free participant to kick. It’s not straightforward to play in opposition to a group that has a whole lot of man-to-man marking. We needed to discover the move break by way of, a 3rd man, mobility. The gamers understood the work.”
Their execution was virtually surgical, exploiting areas behind Remo’s aggressive urgent line. Cardozo admitted he was impressed by how properly his gamers translated the tactical plan into targets.
“To attain in the present day 5 targets in opposition to a group that’s champion of Nigeria shouldn’t be straightforward. In fact, we may have prevented conceding one, however the rating is honest. And most significantly, we respect soccer. We’ll strategy the second leg as significantly as this one as a result of the match shouldn’t be completed.”
Ways, power and ruthlessness
Cardozo’s aspect arrived in Abeokuta three days earlier than the match; he defined that this was a transfer that was a part of their respect for the opponent and the duty.
“We got here right here with huge respect. We got here three days earlier than as a result of we knew we would have liked to relaxation our gamers. And regardless of they’d an exquisite story written this season with the Bafana Bafana, they understood the dedication they needed to have with Mamelodi Sundowns.”
On the touchline, he was a continuing supply of power, urging his gamers to maintain pushing even at 4–1.
“My job is to deliver the power for the gamers in order that they comply with this system and the demand. That’s why you noticed me on the sideline, very energetic. If you begin to really feel a consequence taking place, you need to push it to the restrict.”
And push they did. Even with the sport seemingly determined, Cardozo threw on extra attacking substitutes.
“Even after we led at 4–1, I saved placing substitutions within the entrance as a result of I used to be understanding there may very well be areas once more to attain. However we don’t give this as completed. Champions are produced by dedication, respect, and starvation.”
Breaking the Press: Williams to Shalulile
The tactical consciousness of Sundowns shone brightest of their second objective, a superbly executed long-range help from goalkeeper Ronwen Williams to Peter Shalulile.
“When you find yourself underneath excessive strain in man-to-man marking, you could use the areas behind that strain,” Cardozo defined.
“We wanted runners in entrance to make numerous actions to launch somebody from the marking. After which we’d like somebody to place the ball there. We all know we’ve got a goalkeeper who’s principally the primary one to ship service on these areas.”
It was a second that summed up their tactical self-discipline; absorbing Remo’s excessive press and punishing them clinically.
“Our defenders, Ronwen, the 2 midfielders, the hyperlink gamers, they had been fairly okay. We attracted strain and located the areas. Once we did, we had been deadly.”
Coaches aren’t magicians
Past techniques, Cardozo emphasised one key reality: high quality gamers make the distinction.
“Clearly, it’s crucial to have such high quality gamers. However look, there’s no coach that may produce outcomes with out high-quality gamers. The higher gamers we’ve got, the nearer we’re to success.”
“Not too long ago, I didn’t have so many gamers out there with such high quality, and we struggled. When you may have extra assets in hand, you may produce extra. Coaches aren’t magicians. They consider within the gamers and work with what they’ve.”
With a full squad now, Sundowns’ fluidity and aggression had been on full show in Abeokuta.
Historical past doesn’t play the sport
Cardozo is aware of the job isn’t achieved. As emphatic because the 5–1 scoreline was, his message heading into the return leg was sharp:
“There’s a legacy, clearly, on the historical past of Mamelodi Sundowns that we have to respect. However regardless of our story within the Champions League, we couldn’t relate with that. We needed to relate with what we may do on the pitch. As a result of in the event you deliver a narrative simply because you may have a star and had been finalist final yr, that won’t play contained in the pitch. What performs is dedication.”
“This qualifying spherical is traditionally crucial for us. Remo Stars will beat themselves till the final minute. However we can’t fail. We’ve to face this with a whole lot of dedication, with a whole lot of respect. Our behavior is to win.”
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Closing phrase
Mamelodi Sundowns got here to Nigeria with a plan. They studied, they revered, after which they executed
ruthlessly.
For Miguel Cardozo, this wasn’t about historical past or fame. It was about self-discipline, starvation, and readability.
Remo Stars now face a mountain. For the South African champions, this was simply Act One.
“We can’t fail,” Cardozo mentioned, his voice regular. “Our behavior is to win.”
