MAMELODI Sundowns head-coach Miguel Cardoso has admitted losing a major trophy on home soil hurts.
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But he insists his players must pick themselves up and move forward after their 3–1 defeat to USM Alger in the Caf Super Cup at Loftus Versfeld on Sunday, 8 November.
The Brazilians aimed to add another piece of continental silverware to their cabinet in front of their own supporters.
They left empty-handed as the Algerian visitors delivered a clinical performance to claim the prestigious trophy.
Goals from Zakaria Draoui, Saadi Radouani and Ahmed Khaldi secured the title for USM Alger, the reigning Caf Confederation Cup holders, who earned their second Super Cup crown.
Iqraam Rayners’ first-half penalty was just consolation for Sundowns, who couldn’t recover from a tough afternoon disrupted by injuries and strong opposition.
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The Portuguese mentor admitted the defeat was hard to take but emphasised the importance of how his team responded, especially with a busy run of fixtures ahead.
“Obviously, losing a match like this always breaks you down and brings you back to earth.
“But there’s only one way to react to this: Gather your energy, overcome emotions and understand what lies ahead of us, including the challenges we face in the short-term.”
Cardoso refused to characterise the defeat as a disaster, arguing that simply participating in the Super Cup, the annual contest between the holders of Africa’s two major club competitions, shouldn’t be diminished because his side fell short.
“It’s not a pleasure to play in a competition like this, to be on this stage, and then suddenly make it look like a disaster or a catastrophe. It’s not exactly that,” he said.
The coach also highlighted his players’ resilience during the tough match, where they had to make two early substitutions.
Nuno Santos was withdrawn during the warm-up, with Cassius Mailula stepping into the starting line-up, before Brayan Leon was substituted in the 15th minute — a double attacking blow that disrupted Sundowns’ rhythm from the outset.
While the result will sting the Tshwane giants, Cardoso says a big club is measured by how it responds when things go against them.
For the Brazilians, the message is clear: One defeat shouldn’t derail a season still full of promise. Sundowns must focus on the challenges ahead and show that this setback is just a stumble, not a defining moment.
