Cardoso names lineup, warns Sundowns: ‘This is a tough one’ as Wiliete test awaits
Mamelodi Sundowns coach Miguel Cardoso has warned that his side faces a difficult challenge against Angolan league leaders Wiliete S.C in the CAF Champions League.
Wiliete have made an impressive start to their domestic campaign, collecting five wins and a draw from their opening six Girabola matches.
Cardoso knows Sundowns’ continental experience will count for little if they underestimate their opponents.
“We will respect this qualifying round. The draw was not friendly. Sometimes we get teams we understand, but this is a tough one.
“They are leading the Angolan championship. We already studied them,” Cardoso told the media this week.
Sundowns head into the encounter with confidence after topping the Betway Premiership standings and lifting the MTN8 trophy.
However, Cardoso is taking nothing for granted as his team targets progress in Africa’s premier club competition.
He has however surprisingly left Ronwen Williams out of the team with Ricardo Goss taking his place. The game is at Loftus Stadium and kicks off at 6pm on Sunday.
Sundowns starting XI: Goss, Matuludi, Khoza, Ndamane, Basadien, Mokoena, Allende, Morena, Santos, Matthews and León.
Substitutes: Pieterse, Mvala, Lunga, Aubaas, Cele, Zwane, van Wyk, Ndlovu and Rayners.
The Brazilians will need to be at their best against a Wiliete side that has already shown it can deliver results this season. With a place in the group stages at stake, Sundowns know there is little room for complacency.
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